asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether his recent comments regarding the harmonisation of Irish and EEC foreign and defence policies are consistent with our traditional policy of neutrality.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign and Defence Policies.
4.
I presume that the Deputy is referring to my remarks at the Conference on Neutrality organised by the International Affairs Committee of the Royal Irish Academy on 21 November 1980.
On that occasion I said and I quote: "Joining the European Community does not involve us in any military or defence obligations, nor is it likely to do so in the foreseeable future. However, it has been recognised by successive Governments that in the context of political union in Europe, Ireland, as a member of the Community, would be prepared to participate in arrangements for its defence, if called upon to do so."
Ireland is not a member of any military alliance or of any organisation which has military or defence arrangements.
There is a clear distinction between our participation in European political co-operation — a process by which the member states of the Community consult with one another on foreign policy issues — and defence matters — which are not the subject of consideration by the Nine. The question of harmonising the national defence policies of the member states simply does not arise.
This is probably the most important question which could face the Irish people. It appears to me that in that kind of statement we appear to be touting ourselves——
A question, Deputy.
——for membership of a defence community such as NATO. Is this intended by the Minister's speech? Is there any change in out attitude to neutrality, the one on the principle enunciated by the late Deputy de Valera that we could not form an outside alliance while the country is occupied? Has that changed in any way?
I assure the Deputy and the House that our membership of the EEC, which is the context of the Deputy's question, does not involve us in any NATO involvement whatever, good, bad or indifferent.
Are we volunteering?
There is no question of that at all and our participation in political co-operation with our eight Community partners at present does not involve us in any European defence commitment. However, if a European defence policy eventuates, that is a separate matter on which we made our position clear both before and since the referendum, but that is a matter entirely separate from membership of NATO which does not arise at all.
Regarding the use the other day of the word "totality", does this involve a possible renegotiation of our attitude on neutrality in so far as it involves practically anything as far as I can gather? Was that part of the discussions the other day with Lord Carrington and the others?
These matters were not raised at all.
Was there any undertaking whatsoever that the Government's attitude on neutrality would be discussed by Mrs. Thatcher and the Taoiseach?
The matter was not raised.
We will talk about totality tomorrow, perhaps. Since the change of government has there been at any stage any pressure on or suggestion to our Government that we should become members of NATO or is the position as it was under the previous Government that no such suggestion or pressure ever came from any other Government source to us?
What the Deputy has just stated is precisely the position.
Ceist 5.
An Cheann Comhairle——
I am sorry, Deputy, we have gone on to the next question.
I would like to put a brief question. Would the Minister please be good enough to clarify by yes or no whether there is any change in the situation in relation to neutrality since Deputy de Valera's time? Is it exactly the same now as it was then? Has there been any change, and, if so, what change?
I think I have answered Deputy FitzGerald on this point. The only change in the position vis-à-vis other nations since the late Deputy de Valera's time has been our membership of the EEC.
That was no defence commitment.
That was the only change in our sovereign position. There has been no further change.
Would the Minister please go on to Ceist 5.