Ireland and the Commonwealth, 1960s–1970s: The Ends of (Informal) External Association

Although Ireland enjoyed a strong - albeit ultimately informal - external association with the Commonwealth in 1960, this was at an end by 1979. It had abolished all migration exemptions for Commonwealth citizens and the special status Irish citizens still enjoyed in some Commonwealth countries had become at most almost entirely symbolic. Ireland no longer granted or received trade preferences based on 'Commonwealth' status and it had severed its relationship with Sterling to join the European Exchange Rate Mechanisms. Ireland was no longer an associate of any Commonwealth body and no longer significantly participated in Commonwealth fora. However, although the Sterling rupture highlights how Europeanisation could be disruptive even here, new arrangements had almost invariably been established with the UK-thus highlighting that the ends of Irish Commonwealth association were always primarily focused on this special, although complex, relationship. Ireland's Commonwealth dissociation primarily traces to the demise a tangible Commonwealth citizenship and economic framework. At the same time, the Commonwealth experienced a substantial expansion in development cooperation and emerged as a significant North/South (or West/South) forum. Whilst this could have synergised well with Ireland as a Global Citizen, its adoption of a narrowly selfinterested approach to its Commonwealth linkages rendered this otiose and ensured the end of its informal external association.