Vol. 535 No. 5
129 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the Government proposes to influence European policy on defence and security with particular reference to the European Rapid Reaction Force and general European defence and security policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13310/01]
Along with the other militarily neutral and non-aligned EU member states – Sweden, Finland and Austria – Ireland is playing a full part in the development of the EU's security and defence policy, while at the same time respecting our traditions and values. In doing so, the Government remains firmly committed to Irish military neutrality and sees our involvement in the European Security and Defence Policy as fully consistent with our policy in this area.
In co-operation with our European partners, we are assisting the development of both non-military and military EU crisis management capabilities. With regard to the EU military headline goal, or so-called rapid reaction force, Ireland's willingness to contribute knowledge and personnel is widely appreciated, especially in view of our considerable experience of United Nations peacekeeping missions.
The development of the EU's capability to carry out Petersberg Tasks can be seen in the context of the range of instruments available to the EU including diplomatic and economic measures. The development of the EU's role in conflict prevention and civilian crisis management capabilities is of particular interest to Ireland. We are contributing actively to the overall objective of making the common foreign and security policy more effective and more visible. The EU's activities in the conflict prevention and crisis management spheres compliment the ongoing work of the UN in these areas, in which we are centrally engaged through our membership of the UN Security Council, as well as through our involvement with the OSCE.
Ireland will continue to contribute actively to the elaboration of the European Security and Defence Policy with a view to influencing the direction we would wish to see it take.
Questions Nos. 130 and 131 answered with Question No. 106.
