Vol. 434 No. 3
10 Mr. Molloy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an up-to-date report on the Irish observer status at Western European Union meetings and its usefulness; and if he has any proposals to change or improve Ireland's relationship with the Western European Union.
14 Mr. Cox asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give an up-to-date report on the Irish observer status at Western European Union meetings and its usefulness; and if he has any proposals to change or improve Ireland's relationship with the Western European Union.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 14 together.
When Ireland became an observer at the Western European Union last November, the Government indicated that, because our observer status was linked to the new relationship between the European Union and the Western European Union in the Maastricht Treaty, we did not intend to fully exercise our rights as a Western European Union observer until the Maastricht Treaty had been ratified.
I attended an extraordinary meeting of the Western European Union Council of Ministers in Luxembourg on 5 April 1993 to discuss the crisis in the former Yugoslavia and Ireland was represented at official level at the Western European Union Ministerial Council in Rome on 19 May 1993. Ireland has also been represented, at official level, at meetings of a working group which is considering the future relations between the Western European Union and the European Union.
After the Maastricht Treaty has been ratified, I would envisage that Ireland will regularly attend future meetings of the Western European Union Ministerial Council as an observer. I would also envisage that officials from my Department will attend as observers at meetings of the Western European Union Permanent Council and working groups which we are entitled to attend as a Western European Union observer.
Is it envisaged that this House will be kept informed of Ireland's relationship with the Western European Union and that what is observed will be the subject of some degree of reportage to this House? Why was it thought that Ireland should only attend in a limited way in advance of the ratification of the Maastricht Treaty? Will the Tánaiste indicate the prospects for ratification of the Maastricht Treaty and whether the Germans will finally sign the Treaty?
I can give the Deputy a Kerry view on whether the German constitutional court will find in favour but the expectation is that the Germans will be in a position to ratify as of next Tuesday. We hope that will happen so that we can get on with the Maastricht process because it is in all our interests to have the Maastricht Treaty not only ratified but implemented. Because of the difficulties in Denmark, Britain and Germany the Maastricht process and prospects of revitalisation of the European Community have been hampered. I will strive earnestly to ensure that the House, perhaps through the Foreign Affairs Committee is informed of what we observe at the Western European Union ministerial meetings or working groups. I have no interest in keeping a veil of secrecy over any discussions that take place.
We became an observer at Western European Union because of the link between the Western European Union and European Union in the Maastricht Treaty. We do not envisage participating fully as an observer until the Treaty has been ratified. If an occasion which would warrant our attendance arises, we are in a position to attend, as I did earlier in the year. I can assure the Deputy and the House that I have no difficulty informing Deputies of the proceedings and of what is progressing between the Western European Union and the European Community.
Why has the Government sought observer status as distinct from full membership? Is it intended to apply at any point for full membership? Is the Government concerned about the current basis of the Western European Union and their strategy which includes the retention of nuclear weapons and the strategy of nuclear deterrents? Will the Government seek to have that changed?
As the Deputy is aware, in 1992 the Government decided to take up observer status. This decision was in keeping with the Maastricht Treaty. There are no proposals before the Government at present to take up full membership of the Western European Union. If there was any such intention the matter would have to be brought before this House. What was the Deputy's second question?
The current strategy of the Western European Union which was reviewed in 1987 is that its members should retain nuclear weapons and nuclear deterrents, presumably to keep the peace. Does the Government intend to seek either in its current status or when it takes up full membership to have that approach to security in Europe changed?
The Deputy is well aware from statements in this House of my own and the Government's preferred options; we will strive to secure nuclear disarmament. When we take up observer status we may well be in a position to discuss these matters but we would like to see nuclear disarmament and a peaceful resolution to conflicts, wherever possible.
Will the Minister say, in the context of European security measures, if any discussion has taken place to date about the possibility of putting in place the equivalent of a European coastguard? Would Ireland regard this as an infringement of our neutrality and be willing to provide bases?
I am not aware that discussions have taken place.
That concludes Question Time for today.
