asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason civil servants from his Department attended NATO war rehearsals and exercises; if he has satisfied himself that such attendances do not compromise Irish neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - NATO Exercises.
1.
The Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) signed in Helsinki in 1975 contains measures for confidence-building between States. These include provision for prior notification of major military manoeuvres and for participating States to issue invitations for observers from other participating States to attend military manoeuvres. On foot of such invitations Irish diplomatic officers have attended as observers at NATO exercises. Such exercises have been attended by observers from both East and West, including neutral and non-aligned States which are signatories to the Final Act.
Confidence-building measures of the kind provided for in the Helsinki Final Act are designed to enhance the security of all parties through bringing about increased transparency in regard to military intentions, and attendance at military manoeuvres in this context has no implications for our neutrality.
Would the Minister not agree that, if the Government review their position and refuse to attend NATO war exercises — and that is what they amount to — this would provide an effective statement on our independence of military blocs and would establish a very firm line on neutrality?
No, I would not agree. The 1975 Helsinki Act is designed to allow people like us who are neutral to see what is happening amongst other countries both in the East and the West.
Do officials from the Minister's Department attend Warsaw Pact manoeuvres in the East?
If they were invited they would go. They were invited on one occasion only and it was not suitable for them to attend at that time. If they were invited they would go. It is up to the country holding the manoeuvres to issue the invitations.
The Minister said there was one invitation, but it was not suitable at the time for the Minister's officials to attend Warsaw Pact manoeuvres. I hope that does not set a trend that we attend the manoeuvres of one military bloc only. What other neutral States attend the NATO exercises?
I could not say. I have not got that information here. I will try to find out for the Deputy. I gather they are pretty well attended by other States outside either of the two blocs.
Is the Minister aware of several efforts at the Council of Europe to involve Ireland in discussions on defence and NATO? Would he like to comment on those attempts?
That seems to be a separate question.
I am aware of them.
Does the Minister approve of these attempts at the Council of Europe?
It is not a question of my approving or not approving. It is the reaction to the attempts that is important, not what other people do.
I must pursue this.
You will pursue it within limits. There have been quite a few suplementaries on this.
The Minister has clearly indicated that he does not approve of attempts at the Council of Europe——
I did not say that. I said it is not a matter for me to say what members of the Council of Europe do. What is important is our reaction to those attempts.
Could I ask the Minister——
I am moving on to Ceist 2.