John Gormley
Question:68 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position in relation to the adoption of new secrecy laws surrounding the EU's security and defence policies. [22186/00]
Written Answers. - Common Foreign and Security Policy.
A decision of the EU Secretary General-High Representative on 27 July and an interim decision of the council on 14 August entered into force, on a provisional basis, on the latter date. The effect of these decisions was to restrict public access to certain categories of EU council secretariat documentation which concern the development of the European Union's means for military and non-military crisis management.
The Government supports the transparent and open approach regarding access to EU information which is embodied in the Amsterdam Treaty. Restrictions on the availability of information should be kept to a necessary minimum. However, there is also a need to ensure the protection of certain sensitive information. The decisions in question have been adopted on a provisional basis to ensure the protection of certain classified material in the security and defence area, so as to facilitate progress in the elaboration of a European security and defence policy. In due course, longer term arrangements are to be adopted in accordance with Article 255 of the EU Treaty, as amended by the Amsterdam Treaty. Article 255 provides for a right of access by citizens to European Parliament, Council and Commission documents, subject to general principles and limits to be determined by the council.
Against this background, a large majority of member states, including Ireland, accepted the interim decisions which came into effect earlier this year, made on the advice of Secretary General-High Representative Solana. The conclusion of definitive arrangements for access to documents can be expected by May 2001 in accordance with the timescale specified in the treaty.