The sanctions were not now reinforcing a diplomatic effort to secure a peaceful settlement, but were part of a growing war. In this new situation, Ireland, a country which has traditionally been neutral in armed conflicts, reviewed its support for sanctions and, following discussions about their renewal within the European Community, declined to extend them further when they expired on 17 May. 150. But, it will be said, the immediate cause of conflict is not the ,underlying dispute in itself, but the effort by one side to resolve that dispute in its favour by the use of force in breach of the rule of law. Everything that has followed over the past seven weeks, it may be said, has resulted directly from that. 157. Those are the principles which Ireland has supported throughout this present conflict and which we continue to uphold as necessary to any settlement. 158. But does it follow that a commitment to these principles must also involve acceptance of war as necessary to uphold them? My delegation cannot agree. 151. Where important international principles are at stake, it is right to be clear in our thinking. If we accept an important principle as valid, we should also be consistent in wishing to see it upheld. 1.52. For its part, the approach taken by Ireland at each stage of this problem has, we believe, been con- sistent and clear. Let me set it out briefly here again. 1.59. War in our day, even limited war, is the ulti- mate irrationality in international relations. It may begin rationally enough in defence of principles but it soon acquires its own irrational logic and momentum. It may start through calculation. But once started, it soon escapes all calculation, whatever the original intentions of political or military leaders on either side. 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a political and diplomatic crisis, specifically the use of sanctions and the decision of Ireland to not extend them. The text also touches on the principles of international law and the consequences of war. This suggests that the category should be related to international relations, diplomacy, and politics.

**Category**
International relations