ABSTRACT
This chapter examines Ireland's relationship with Partnership for Peace (PfP) and explores Ireland's relationship with Western European Union. It argues that Ireland has neither been able to resist further involvement nor has it wanted to resist such involvement. Ireland's relationship with the PfP and participation in crisis management structures provide further illustration that neutrality is not an issue at the European level. PfP augments North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) capabilities by improving common understanding, between allies and non-NATO states, of peacekeeping and humanitarian issues and by enhancing interoperability in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. The chapter analyses parallels drawn between Ireland and the other neutrals. It demonstrates the deficiencies in the United Nation which have resulted in regional organisations such as NATO/PfP stepping in to fill the breach and the implications of these developments for Ireland's participation in peacekeeping.
