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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1987

Vol. 374 No. 10

Written Answers. - European Political Co-operation.

24.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline, following the ratification of the Single European Act and the formal recognition within an institutional framework of the process of European political co-operation, the form in which Ireland's undertakings, contributions and other activities within the process of European political co-operation will now be explicitly detailed and documented in the six monthly reports on the developments in the European Communities; such reports will now take on a more substantial and informative content to that experienced in previous reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

30.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, which will be taken by the member states of the European Community with regard to foreign policy following the ratification of the Single European Act and the formalisation of the process of European political co-operation; if he will make a statement regarding the way in which Ireland proposes to safeguard and promote her position of neutrality with the formal process of European political co-operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 24 and 30 together.

The Single European Act codifies and formalises the existing process of political co-operation in treaty form. That process and the nature of our involvement in it are essentially unchanged. The coming into force of the Single European Act does not, therefore, call for any particular steps by the member states of the European Community.

The purpose of the six-monthly reports on developments within the European Communities is to inform the Oireachtas of the main developments in the Community framework and in European political co-operation. The Deputy can be assured that these reports will continue to cover those developments adequately.

Title III of the Single European Act explicitly limits co-operation on security matters to their political and economic aspects. The Single European Act does not, therefore, affect Ireland's policy of military neutrality and the Declaration made by the Government at the time of ratifications underscores this.

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