asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the present attitude of the Irish Government towards NATO; the attitude of NATO to the concept of an EEC Defence Force which member states aspire to create; and if any developments in this area are envisaged during the current Irish Presidency of the EEC.
Written Answers. - NATO Attitudes.
504.
Our attitude to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, and to military alliances in general, is based on the recognition that all states have a legitimate right, as enshrined in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, to make arrangements for their individual or collective self-defences.
When NATO was founded in 1949 the then Government declined an invitation to take part and successive Irish Governments have maintained this position. It is not the policy or intention of the Government to reconsider that decision.
There are no proposals within the European Community to create an EEC Defence Force. I have no reason to think that NATO has taken a position on this question. However since Ireland is not a member of that organisation, I do not feel that I am in a position to speculate on the matter.
The European Community has no function in relation to defence and there is no question of a common defence policy among the Nine. I have no reason to believe that there will be any change in this position or any developments in this matter during Ireland's Presidency of the Council or within the foreseeable future.