asked the Taoiseach if he can arrange to provide Members of the Dáil with a copy of the Dooge Interim Report which was submitted to the recent EEC heads of member states at Dublin Castle.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Committee on Institutional Affairs Interim Report.
1.
Following the decision by the European Council in Dublin that the interim report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Institutional Affairs should be published, arrangements for its printing were put in hands with the Council Secretariat. It is understood that printed copies will be available towards the end of this month when I shall certainly let each Member of the Dáil and Seanad have a copy. In the meantime, copies have been placed in the Library where Members can consult them.
Arising from the reply and the matters involved in what is called the Dooge Report, will the Taoiseach make to the House a clear and unambiguous statement that Irish neutrality is a basic principle of Irish foreign policy and is not for sale by the Taoiseach, Senator Dooge, the Minister for Defence, or any other Minister of the Government?
That does not arise.
It arises directly, with all respect. It arises directly out of the Dooge investigation committee, or whatever you like to call it, which is concerned about getting Ireland more involved in Community security and defence matters.
The question asks about a copy of a report.
I would be happy to answer Deputy Lenihan.
The supplementary does not arise on the question.
I note that the question comes from a Deputy who, during the debate in 1981 when the Leader of the Opposition set out their policy on neutrality, said that in the referendum our people endorsed the decision to enter Europe and to participate in defence commitments after the achievement of political integration. The House should at least know the point of view of the Deputy who asked the question. With regard to the report, as the Deputy will be aware, Senator Dooge has put down a disagreement on the sections of the report dealing with defence.
Can the Taoiseach give us any idea when the final report will be available from this committee?
The intention is that the final report will be completed in time for presentation to the European Council meeting towards the end of March.