IRELAND’S FOREIGN POLICY AT A CROSSROADS: BETWEEN NEUTRALITY AND STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT IN EUROPEAN SECURITY
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine Ireland's foreign policy evolution as it navigates the tension between its long-standing military neutrality and growing engagement in European security integration, prompted by geopolitical shifts and EU collective defence imperatives. The research explores how Ireland balances its non-aligned identity, rooted in its historical struggle for sovereignty, with pragmatic participation in EU and NATO frameworks amid challenges such as Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and maritime activities in Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The methodology employed a qualitative case-study approach with discourse analysis, drawing on official government documents (e.g., Defence Commission Report, EU Strategic Compass), parliamentary debates from the Oireachtas, media reports (e.g., Irish Times, RTÉ), academic literature, and the 2023 Consultative Forum on International Security Policy. Process tracing is utilised to monitor policy decisions made by Ireland, including its involvement in PESCO and NATO's Individual Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP). A comparative analysis with neutral states such as Austria, Sweden, and Malta is employed to provide contextual background information regarding Ireland's strategic choices. The results of the study indicate a shift in Ireland's foreign policy towards what has been termed "adaptive neutrality". This is characterised by a selective engagement in EU defence initiatives such as PESCO (four non-combat projects by 2023) and the Strategic Compass, alongside limited NATO co-operation through the ITPP, while maintaining non-alignment. Domestic debates over the 'triple lock' mechanism highlight polarised views, with 61% public support for neutrality but only 40% endorsing the UN mandate's necessity, reflecting openness to EU co-operation among younger voters. The recalibration of the EU's approach is driven by external pressures, including Russia's actions and Ireland's 2026 EU Council presidency. However, it is important to note that neutrality remains a rhetorical pillar. The practical implications of this analysis include the recommendation to reform the "triple lock" to enhance EU mission flexibility, with an increase in defence spending to 0.5% of GDP by 2030 to address maritime and cyber vulnerabilities, and the leveraging of Ireland's normative role as a UN peacekeeper to shape EU strategic autonomy. These steps ensure that Ireland maintains its credibility as an EU partner while preserving its neutral identity. Value/Оriginality. The study introduces the concept of adaptive neutrality as a dynamic framework through which to understand Ireland’s foreign policy, offering a fresh perspective on the agency of small states in a Europe that is rearming. By integrating Ireland’s EU engagement, domestic discourse, and comparative insights, it fills gaps in post-2022 analyses and contributes to international relations theory and policy debates on the relevance of neutrality in a volatile security landscape.
How to Cite
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Irish foreign policy, military neutrality, security and defence co-operation, PESCO, Triple Lock, small state adaptation, Ireland–EU relations
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