Jim O'Keeffe
Question:1 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline Ireland's policy of neutrality.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Neutrality Policy.
Our policy of neutrality has meant that Ireland does not belong to any military alliance. We have, however, as a small country, sought to play a full and responsible part in international life and to promote peace, security and the rule of law within the international community.
We have, for example, a long record of commitment to the promotion of disarmament and arms control; we have contributed for many years to United Nations peace-keeping operations; and we have participated actively in the work of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe — the CSCE — which has done so much to improve East-West relations and which culminated last November in the signing of the Paris Charter. The CSCE recognised that security in Europe in all its aspects is the direct concern of all 35 participating States irrespective of whether they belong to a military alliance.
Since we joined the European Community, successive Irish Governments have stated a position which was reiterated by the Taoiseach in the Dáil on 1 November 1990 when he said:
if the Community were at some stage to embark on arrangements for its own security, and with its own security concept, then Ireland, as a fully committed member state, would be willing to consider participation.
I will avail of this occasion to give the Deputy some further information on this question as it relates to our membership of the European Community. As a member state of the European Community, we are already committed to the co-ordination of foreign policy provided for in European Political Co-operation. Under the Single European Act, the terms of which were endorsed by referendum here in 1987, this co-ordination now extends to the political and the economic, but not the military, aspects of security.
At the European Council in Rome on 14-15 December last, Ireland joined with other member states in adopting guidelines for an intergovernmental conference on political union which is now under way. These envisage the development of a common foreign and security policy; and they provide that this policy should aim at maintaining peace and international stability, developing friendly relations with all countries, promoting democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights and encouraging the economic development of all nations. The gradual extension of the role of the union in the area of common security is to be considered, with reference in particular, initially, to issues debated in international organisations; arms control; disarmament and related issues; CSCE matters; certain questions debated in the UN including peace-keeping operations; economic and technological co-operation in the armaments field; co-ordination of armamevts export policy and non-proliferation.
With a view to the future, the prospect of a role for the union in defence matters is also to be considered, without prejudice to member states' existing obligations, bearing in mind the importance of maintaining and strengthening the ties within the Atlantic alliance and without prejudice to the traditional positions of other member states. The idea of a commitment by member states to provide mutual assistance, as well as proposals put forward by some member states on the future of Western European Union are also to be examined.
These and other issues are now being discussed in detail at the Inter-governmental Conference on Political Union. It is too early at this stage to say what may be agreed or what may be the policy implications for us of the work of the conference.
Will the Minister in the short while available clarify one point in relation to the development in the European Community of political union? Are we, on the one hand, in favour of a two speed Europe where decisions may or may not be made in the security and defence area in the years ahead in which we would have no part, or are we in favour of whole-hearted integration into the political union of Europe of the future?
I cannot give the Deputy the quick answer he is seeking because the seriousness of the question would not merit such a quick answer. We are committed to the development of political union. The reasons for that were explained on a number of occasions by the Taoiseach in this House. An element of the political union discussion that is taking place at present has to do with common foreign and security policy. I already mentioned in the course of my reply the conclusions of the Rome Summit of Heads of State of Governments on 14 and 15 December which laid down a framework for the common foreign and security policy debate and discussion which is taking place within the context of the Intergovernmental Conference. We are at a very early stage yet with regard to the Intergovernmental Conference.
We have only had one meeting at ministerial level. There are regular meetings, almost on a weekly basis, between the personal representatives of the Ministers for Foreign Affairs dealing with the issue, but we still have a long way to go. Having regard to what I have said, the Deputy will understand that I cannot give a simple yes or no to a serious question. We want to be in Europe. We are full members of Europe and we have played our part as full members. We propose to continue playing our part as full members of Europe but there are complex and delicate matters to be discussed and they are at present on the table of the conference in which we are participating fully.
In the light of the seriousness of this issue for our future, will the Minister consider issuing a White Paper dealing with these various complex issues, indicating the options, bearing in mind that whatever comes out of the Intergovernmental Conference will have to be approved by the House and by the people in a referendum?
I am extremely conscious of the fact that whatever is agreed at the Intergovernmental Conference must be approved by the people by way of a referendum and, of course, this House plays its part in a big way in the run up to that referendum. The Government position has been clearly put forward. There are not any difficulties with regard to that. Having regard to the nature of the conference and the discussions taking place I will have due regard to what the Deputy said about a paper being available for discussion purposes in the House, and I will come back to him again on it.