Written Answers. - Western European Union.
Trevor Sargent
Question:
58
Mr. Sargent
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
if the discussions regarding further involvement with the Western European Union are part of the Intergovernmental Conference or are part of a separate process.
[8370/96]
The basis of Ireland's existing participation as an observer in the Western European Union is set out in chapter 4 of the Government's White Paper on Foreign Policy. The White Paper also addresses the question of Ireland's possible participation, on a case-by-case basis, in humanitarian and rescue tasks and peace-keeping tasks under the Petersberg Declaration. The White Paper states that it is desirable and right that Ireland should be prepared to make a contribution in areas where it has proven capacity and experience and that the Government believe that such involvement would be in keeping with Ireland's commitment to international peace; would constitute a concrete contribution to European security; and would be a sign of solidarity with our European partners and neighbours in the search for a more secure and stable security order in Europe.
The Government has therefore decided to discuss with the Western European Union the possibility of Ireland's taking part, on a case-by-case basis, in humanitarian and rescue tasks and peace-keeping tasks under the Petersberg Declaration and to consider such changes as may be necessary to the Defence and Garda Síochána Acts to enable Ireland's Defence Forces and gardaí to take part in such operations. In this context, the White Paper makes clear that the Government does not intend that Ireland will be involved in tasks of combat forces in crisis management.
The Western European Union has a role in relation to the common foreign and security policy under the Maastricht Treaty as it stands. The Maastricht Treaty, which was duly ratified following a referendum, and which came into force in November, 1993, explicitly recognises the Western European Union as an integral part of the development of the EU and provides for the Union to request the Western European Union to implement actions and decisions of the Union that have defence implications. There is a consensus in the EU that these should include conflict prevention and peacekeeping tasks — what are generally referred to as Petersberg tasks. If the EU were to undertake such tasks, it could request the Western European Union to undertake the operational role — as it has done already in the case of the EU Administration of Mostar, where the Western European Union is providing the police element of the EU Administration at the request of the EU. It was because of the relationship between the EU and the Western European Union which was established in the Maastricht Treaty that a previous Government decided that Ireland should become an Observer at the Western European Union in 1992.
The Intergovernmental Conference, which began on 29 March, is expected to consider further how the EU's common foreign and security policy provisions can best be developed to enhance the EU's contribution to European and global peace and security, including through the EU-WEU relationship and the handling of Petersberg tasks.
As I have stated on a number of occasions, I see considerable potential for us to build on our achievements in the area of peace-keeping and international co-operation in a way which is in harmony with our traditions and values. The forthcoming meeting of the Western European Union Council of Ministers in Birmingham in May is expected to examine further the modalities for possible observer participation in the Petersberg tasks, taking account of the contribution that Ireland and the other Observers have made to UN peacekeeping over the years.
