Phil Hogan
Question:20 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his policy on Ireland's future role in the Western European Union.
Written Answers. - Western European Union.
Ireland took up observer status in the Western European Union last November, with the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty. The decision to take up observer status at the Western European Union was prompted by the new relationship between the European Union and the Western European Union provided for in the Maastricht Treaty (Article J.4.2). Observer status at the Western European Union enables us to keep informed of developments in the Western European Union that might have a bearing on discussions in the European Union; places us in a better position to formulate appropriate responses on such issues within the EU; helps us decide our policy on the reference of issues with defence implications by the EU to the Western European Union; and enables us to follow the subsequent discussions within the Western European Union on such issues.
The Government has appointed a permanent representative to the Western European Union. Since last November we have been attending the weekly meetings of the Western European Union's Permanent Council as well as working groups. In the immediate future the Government considers that the Western European Union can play an important role in promoting security and stability in Europe as part of the framework of mutually reinforcing institutions. With this in mind we have taken part in discussions within the Western European Union on such matters as international peacekeeping, the conflict in former Yugoslavia, the relations between the European Union and the Western European Union, and the development of the Western European Union's relationship with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.
We are satisfied, on the basis of this experience, that observer status meets our current requirements with regard to the relationship between the EU and the Western European Union established by the Maastricht Treaty.
In the longer term, the question of the role of the Western European Union in the future security of the European Union is likely to arise. At present, the Maastricht Treaty specifies that the Western European Union is "an integral part of the development of the Union", but it remains a separate organisation operating within its own treaty framework — the Brussels Treaty of 1948. As Deputies are aware, the Maastricht Treaty specifically provides for an intergovernmental Conference in 1996 to review the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
It is likely that discussions on the scope and content of a future common defence policy and on the question of a common defence will feature in those negotiations, and that they will almost certainly include a review of the relationship between the EU and the Western European Union. While it is difficult to predict what specific options may be under consideration when the Intergovernmental Conference meets in 1996, the Programme for a Partnership Government makes clear that Ireland's policy of military neutrality will remain unchanged unless the people decide otherwise in a referendum.
I believe that, in the context of the developing debate about future European security and defence arrangements, it is important that there be a full informed discussion on Ireland's security policy. I welcome the attention which the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs is already giving to this issue. This debate will be especially relevant to the preparation of the White Paper on Ireland's foreign policy which I have announced. I intend to announce shortly arrangements to involve the public fully in the consultation process that will culminate in the publication of the White Paper.