I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 42, 47 and 52 together.
I welcome the opportunity to respond to these questions, all of which address important security and defence policy issues that arise for Ireland, and indeed for our EU partners, in the context of the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference (IGC).
I visited Finland between 2 and 4 October, and had meetings with President Athtisaari, Prime Minister Lipponen and Foreign Minister Halonen. We had very useful discussions on a range of issues, including the preparations for the Intergovernmental Conference review of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) provisions of the Maastricht Treaty, which will include, as specified by Article J.4. of that Treaty, the "question of a common defence policy for the Union, which might in time lead to a common defence".
Among the elements that emerged from these discussions were the following: first, both Ireland and Finland support a comprehensive concept of security and believe this should provide the context for the further development of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. Second, both Ireland and Finland have made an important contribution, over the years, to international peace-keeping and humanitarian operations, and we have both identified this as an area in which we could make a contribution at the European level.
Third, both Ireland and Finland find observer status in the Western European Union to be useful, particularly as the preparations for the Intergovernmental Conference are advancing. Finland has made clear that it is willing to contribute to the Western European Union Petersburg talks in regard to peace-keeping and humanitarian operations, and search and rescue tasks. This is an area where I see potential for Ireland, in view of our accumulated expertise in peace-keeping and humanitarian work, to make a contribution. Finland, along with Austria and Sweden, are providing police for the Western European Union policy component of the EU Administration of Mostar.
Fourth, on the question of the future institutional relationship between the EU and the Western European Union, both Ireland and Finland see this as a matter for the Intergovernmental Conference negotiations themselves. While the various institutional options are currently being explored in both the Reflection Group and in the Western European Union — which is preparing its own input for the Intergovernmental Conference — we have made it clear that it is our preference to avoid any attempts to prejudge or narrow down the options at this stage. As would be expected, it was clear from our discussions that Ireland and Finland, two neutral countries who have remained outside military alliances, have much in common in our analysis and approach to these issues.
I also had the opportunity while in Helsinki to outline our approach to the range of issues that arise in the Intergovernmental Conference context, including the review of the CFSP. I addressed the Paasikivi Society — a forum for the discussion of foreign policy issues similar to the Institute of European Affairs here in Dublin. The topic was, "The 1996 Intergovernmental Conference: an Irish view". In summary, I outlined the Government's policy, based on the six principles which underlie our approach to any developments in the security area. The Taoiseach and I outlined these principles in a number of speeches and statements over the past year. A copy of my speech has been placed in the Dáil Library.
Deputies may recall that these principles do not envisage membership of any military alliance. They make clear that the Government is committed to putting to the people in a referendum any outcome of the Intergovernmental Conference that would involve Ireland in a common defence policy. This will ensure that Ireland's policy of military neutrality will remain unchanged unless the people themselves decide otherwise.
As to whether Ireland has been asked to join a European Army, in the European Union or an other context, the answer is no. The Government is not aware of any proposals for a European Army, and even if such proposals were to be forthcoming, which is highly unlikely, they would not form the basis for agreement in the 1996 Intergovernmental Conference.