Vol. 447 No. 11
30 Mr. O'Malley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the date on which the White Paper in Irish Foreign Policy will be published; and if it will examine fully the questions of defence and security that arise for this country in post-cold war Europe. [1443/95]
The Programme for a Government of Renewal affirms the Government's intention to publish a White Paper on Foreign Policy. It is my intention that this White Paper should be published in the second quarter of this year.
The White Paper will cover all aspects of Ireland's foreign policy and the full range of international issues which affect our national interests. This includes the questions of defence and security that arise for this country in the post-cold war Europe, which I intend should be fully examined in the White Paper.
The Programme for a Government of Renwal clearly indicates that the White Paper "will spell out the principles that underpin Ireland's commitment toa peace, security, and co-operation". The programme also sets out the following as one of the guiding principles of the Government's foreign policy:
We will play a full part in the debate on Common Foreign and Security Policy, which will culminate during Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 1996. The White Paper will inform and encourage debate on all the issues involved.
It is my intention that the commitments which I have just outlined will be fully realised.
Can the Minister give an assurance, even though this is a White Paper which would normally set out definitive Government policy, that it will be open to debate and further consideration as a result of views expressed in this House, and throughout the country, and that the Government will maintain an open mind in regard to some very serious matters which have to be decided both by this country and the European Union between now and the end of next year?
The Deputy will be aware from previous replies, what we are setting out to do in the White Paper. It is important that we have the process of consultation. Already we have received in writing more than 30 serious submissions on the White Paper. Seminars were held and the next seminar will take place in Limerick on Saturday morning at which I hope to see the Deputy. Attendance at the seminars has been very good. As the Deputy will appreciate the situation in Europe is evolving and has done so at a more rapid since the post-cold war era than previously. There will be further changes in terms of our thinking on security and defence questions. I intend to bring the White Paper before the House at the earliest possible date. There are many varying views in the 30 submissions on what position Ireland should take on future issues when they come before the European Union. Ultimately, any agreement that the intergovernmental confernce will arrive at wil have to have the consent of all European Union members. I hope there wil be a wide-ranging debate both inside and outside this country on issues which I consider to be very serious.
Does the Minister envisage that economic and financial matters such as the European Monetary Union and the possibility of a single currency will be fully discussed in this White Paper or will Government thinking on that matter be contained in some other document?
The White Paper deals primarily with foreign policy whereas European monetary and economic union would be the concern of the Department of Finance and, obviously, it would be a matter for the General Affairs Council also. I would expect discussion papers from the Department of Finance on economic and monetary union. We have to define our position on that and it will be very important issue due in the intergovernmental conference.
How does the Minister reconcile the disparities within the parties in the Rainbow Coalition when it comes to their positions on the question of defence and security in Europe? For example, the new Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs, Deputy Gay Mitchell, in the past advocated a European army——
I did not.
——and that we join all types of organisations in Europe, including NATO and the Western European Union.
I did not.
No interruptions, please.
Democratic Left and the Minister's party have directly opposing views on these issues. It is time we heard from the Minister how he squares this circle. I would like to hear his views on these issues which have serious implications for our people. They are interested to hear what he has to say about security and defence, especially in the run-up to the Intergovernmental Conference in 1996.
My former Minister of State is being slightly provocative but I will take the question in the spirit intended. I do not believe there will be any difficulty between the parties in Government in outlining the position as we prepare for the Intergovernmental Conference. From discussions I had with him and from his experience in this area, which is considerable, I think Deputy Kitt is well aware of the complexities of the issue. I think he is also aware that great changes are taking place in the context of European security and defence. What is important is that we try to put forward, on behalf of the Irish people, a policy that reflects the concerns of the Irish people in this area and I hope that will be reflected in the White Paper. Thereafter there will be an opportunity for a more detailed discussion in this House. I hope the discussions and conclusions reached in our contribution to the Intergovernmental Conference will reflect fully the views of the Irish people. I think the Deputy is aware, as is everybody else, that there are conflicting views among individuals in this House and outside on Ireland's future role in the European Union, whether in terms of a common defence policy or security. What is important, as it was with the last Government, is if there are to be changes in Ireland's traditional stance it will be a matter for the Irish people and will be done only by referendum.
That is exactly the point I was going to raise. Our common defence and security policy is such a fundamental issue that it should not be pushed through the House by a Government majority. It should be put to the people in a referendum for them to decide the way forward. We should not tie ourselves on the conference during our Presidency. This matter should be carefully considered in the House and there should be the widest possible debate on it. The people should pass judgment on it because it is fundamental to us as people.
I agree with the Deputy. As he is probably aware, I complained bitterly on many occasions during the Maastricht debate because I was not satisfied at that time that there was a suficient level of debate among the Irish people on the Maastricht Treaty, which obviously has long-term consequences for us as a State. I will certainly endeavour, in co-operation with Deputy Burke and Deputy O'Mally as spokespersons for their parties on foreign affairs, and eyerybody else in this House, to have the fullest and widest possible debate in this House and outside on proposed changes. These are basic fundamental and important issues which will govern not only our future but the future of our children.
On the White Paper may I take it the guiding principle of our foreign policy in the future should be as it always has been, that in dealing with other countries worldwide those countries should indicate a respect for the United Nations Charter on Human Rights? That should always be the guiding principle of our policy.
Our respect for and role within the United Nations is something this country is very proud of. I hope on another occasion in the House this year we will have an opportunity to discuss the possible reforms within the United Nations on its 50th anniversary. I am sure the Deputy — and Deputy O'Malley — will have comments on that matter. The United Nations has come under enormous pressure and criticism in recent years as the demands have far outgrown the resources of the United Nations. It is very important to continue to bolster the United Nations because it has a very important role.
