An inability to listen to answers is part of Deputy Gormley's problem. The Deputy also raised certain defence issues. It is important to point out that we have provided the safeguard clause since Maastricht. We negotiated the clause at Maastricht, as it was clear that there are different defence and security policy traditions in the European Union. The Community method involves accommodating those traditions. Deputy Gormley has always failed to acknowledge that successive Governments have been involved in successful negotiations. When a defence working group, of which Deputy Gormley is a member, produced a proposal which left me with very little room to manoeuvre, I was capable of negotiating Ireland's position and ensuring that its tradition is respected. The safeguard clause ensures that there is no automaticity involved in such a mutual defence clause, as far as Ireland is concerned. The whole purpose of our negotiating strategy is to achieve that. It is far better to acknowledge that something has been achieved, rather than denying it.
One should not suggest, as Deputy Gormley sought to do, that the phraseology has been developed as a cover. It has been included in treaties since the Treaty of Maastricht, when European security and defence policy was first given a base in the EU treaties. I have said that it is there to acknowledge the fact that there are different defence and security policy traditions in the EU. We respect those with other traditions and we obtain mutual respect for our tradition. Regarding our position—