The Dutch Ambassador to Ireland talks neutrality, Brexit, and the Defence Forces in a new interview
THE DUTCH AMBASSADOR to Ireland believes there has been a marked change in how Ireland is debating the issue of neutrality.
Palm is the current ambassador, taking up his post in 2019. He is one of the Netherlands’ most experienced diplomats, having served in Ukraine and Moscow. He has also worked on European affairs and Dutch diplomatic relations with Asia. He speaks six languages, including Russian. After the UK left [the European Union], everybody was looking a little bit more around each other, and looking at ‘what alliances do we need’, and ‘where we need them’. “I think all countries in the EU started to look much more at each other and [to] work together – more than before, and see that we are all on the same wavelength,” he said.
Palm and Piso repeatedly spoke of the importance of closer security bonds, such as alliances with other nations and working together with those countries and agencies, throughout the interview. The Dutch, like other nations, are increasing defence spending to meet the new environment, Palm said. The complexity of Irish neutrality was not lost on the diplomats, and Palm believes there is a need for a definition of what neutrality means to Ireland.
Ireland has been involved in one Greek-led maritime surveillance PESCO mission, and was an observer on a further nine missions. The Dáil recently voted in favour of the Defence Forces’ full involvement in four projects relating to cyber threats, disaster relief capability, Special Operations Forces medical training and systems for mine countermeasures.
Palm believes that one key consideration for the Irish Government when it comes to joining with other European Union countries in closer military ties is the financial side of things – if you go it alone, it will be expensive.“Well, [going it alone is] an option, but something tells me it’s an expensive option; but that’s the choice that you have ultimately – partnership is cheaper.”
He said that he believes that the origins of modern Irish neutrality date to World War Two, and the fact the decision was made just 20 years after the War of Independence.Palm said that there is a lot of respect for Ireland’s leading non-proliferation work and UN peacekeeping missions, but stressed that the environment has changed.
Recently three Dutch warships arrived into Cork Harbour on an apparent courtesy visit. The visit included the Karel Doorman, a multi-role vessel similar to one recently proposed for the Irish Naval Service. It was built by a Dutch ship-building firm.Palm said the visit was for rest and recuperation of crew rather than for any other reason, but an Irish delegation from the Air Corps, Naval Service and Department of Defence visited the Karel Doorman in Cobh.
One key consideration for Irish military planners is the purchase of primary radar. Piso said that the Dutch had the best radar in the world, which gave “multi-mission” coverage for air, sea and ground operations. He said individual threat assessments, both from NATO and from EU perspectives, give differing views on the risk to the cables.
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