I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 18, 46, 90, 101 and 136 together.
The so-called "triple lock" on Ireland's participation in overseas operations, including those carried out under the European security and defence policy, was set out in the National Declaration made at Seville in June 2002. This declaration made clear that Ireland would participate only in such operations that received the "authorisation" of the UN Security Council or General Assembly. This means that the Government will not consider Ireland's participation in an operation, unless that operation has been officially authorised by the UN.
The Government has not given any consideration to modifying this triple lock on Ireland's participation in EU-led missions, nor has any proposal to amend the Defence Acts been brought before the Government.
This general issue arose recently in relation to the possibility of Ireland's participation in an EU-led operation which was sanctioned but not established by the UN Security Council. This was the EU military-monitoring mission in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, known as Operation Concordia.