Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jan 1995

Vol. 447 No. 11

Written Answers. - Western European Union.

Michael McDowell

Question:

44 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will become a full member of the Western European Union in view of the fact that this organisation is likely to play an increasingly prominent part in the defence and security of the European Union. [1471/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

As the Deputy is aware, Ireland is an observer in the Western European Union (WEU). The decision to take up observer status in the Western European Union resulted from the new relationship between the European Union and the Western European Union provided for in the Maastricht Treaty (Article J.4.2). On the basis of our experience as an observer in the Western European Union to date, we are satisfied 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.

Looking ahead, it can be anticipated that the relationship between the EU and the Western European Union will feature in the review of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) provisions of the Maastricht Treaty in the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference. In particular, the scope and content of a future common defence policy and possibly, the question of a common defence, will feature in those negotiations.

While it is difficult to predict what specific options may be under consideration when the Intergovernmental Conference meets in 1996, it is already clear that a number of our EU partners will expect the Western European Union to play an increased role in European security and defence issues. To that end, it is likely that some of our partners will be in favour of the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference negotiations resulting in a much closer linkage between the EU and the Western European Union.

Our approach to the Intergovernmental Conference negotiations will be based on the commitments in the "Programme for Renewal": namely, that we will play our full part in the European Union and that our foreign policy will continue to be underpinned by our commitment to peace, security and co-operation.

We intend the White Paper on Foreign Policy to inform and encourage debate on all the issues involved. The programme A Government of Renewal also makes it clear that we will put the outcome of any future negotiations that would involve Ireland's participation in a common defence policy to the people in a referendum, thus ensuring that Ireland's policy of military neutrality will remain unchanged unless the people decide otherwise in a referendum.