asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the policy which underlies Irish neutrality; and if he foresees developments in this policy in the period ahead.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Neutrality.
6.
As the Deputy is aware Ireland is not a member of any military alliance.
We are, however, a member state of the European community and as such we have committed ourselves to a policy of European integration with the long term aim of European Union. I may say that as the Deputy is aware the commitment we made in joining the Community was approved by the Oireachtas and was overwhelmingly endorsed by the electorate in the referendum of May 1972.
This commitment involves among other things a parallel commitment on our part to European political co-operation. This is an arrangement under which the nine member states of the Community have agreed to consult together on foreign policy issues and to endeavour as far as possible to work out common positions on major world problems. While the obligation which this imposes on us is not absolute in the sense that agreement on a common position is not always possible, it does mean that we have a serious commitment to try to reach a common position on all of the issues which arise.
We have played, and will continue to play, our full part in this process.
It is clear that the policy followed by successive Irish Governments in remaining outside military alliances does not imply that we are indifferent in regard to the issues which face the international community as a whole. On the contrary our policy has been to work for a world in which order and justice will increasingly prevail, where the very grave dangers which arise from the present high level of armaments and from international conflicts and rivalries will be reduced, and serious steps towards disarmament taken.
These are positive aims which we seek to advance not only within the European Community of which we are members but also in co-operation with like-minded states at the United Nations and elsewhere. We now have new opportunities to do this through our relations with the developing countries, in Africa and elsewhere, and in the framework of the Lomé Convention.
In answer to the second part of the Deputy's question, I can say that I do not foresee any immediate likelihood of a change in our overall position as I have just described it.
Would the Minister agree that there is a solid advantage in being outside military pacts, that it permits us, as in this week, to be invited to send troops to the Lebanon? If he has not already done so, will the Minister make clear to our partners in the Community our intention to abide by the position adopted by previous Governments in remaining outside military pacts? Will he also point out the advantage to the Community of having a member not involved in such pacts and the narrowness that necessarily follows from such membership?
I am satisfied beyond doubt that there is no necessity to make this clear to our partners in the Community. I reiterated that this question has never arisen and that no request or pressure has come from any member of the European Community for Ireland to join any military alliance. That is in accordance with the basis on which we joined the Community and on which we were welcomed into it. I acknowledge that there has been speculation from time to time which seems to suggest that pressure is being put on me but obviously I cannot be responsible for the sources of this speculation and the reasons behind it. I want to make it quite clear that I am not associating the Deputy with that. Our partners recognise our position and, as the Deputy has implied, I think they regard it as being an advantage for the European Community and the attitudes that other countries would have to it.
I did not hear the last part of the Minister's formal reply. I got the impression that while it ruled out any prospect of joining a military alliance now, it was somewhat ambiguous about the future.
No.
Would the Minister mind reading out the last part of his reply?
I shall be glad to do so and if necessary I will clarify it. I said:
In answer to the second part of the Deputy's question I can say that I do not foresee any immediate likelihood of a change in our overall position as I have just described it.
Perhaps the Minister would clarify the reference to "immediate"?
When we joined the European Community we said—by our own decision and not in response to any pressures or suggestions—that we would not become a member of a military alliance. However, a former Taoiseach, the late Seán Lemass, said that if the occasion should arise where the Community of which we were a member came under attack we would face our obligations as a member of the Community. Not alone do I hope that will not be an immediate likelihood —I hope it will not be a likelihood in any event.
The Minister said there was some speculation about the Government's intention with regard to joining a military alliance. Does the Minister not agree that the statement he has read out and his elaboration of it justifiably gives rise to such speculation?
I cannot see how it could.
I am calling Question No. 7.