I join with the other speakers in welcoming this Bill and section 1 in particular. As has been said, three of the countries coming in are neutral nations. However, they are not neutral in the way Ireland is neutral. Different definitions of neutrality can have implications for many people. The definition of neutrality in Norway, for instance, is different from its definition in Ireland, and the same can be said for Finland, Austria and Sweden.
This debate provides an opportunity to remind people that within the next couple of years there will be a major discussion on neutrality both as a concept and in its historical context. That will provide an opportunity for us to define our defence policy within Europe. A White Paper on Foreign Policy is being prepared and people have been invited, via newspaper advertisements, to make suggestions in that regard. By way of broadening the idea of the section, I urge those who are interested in this legislation to respond to that invitation. Ireland and the three other neutral countries may be able to reach a consensus on how we adopt to what is, or is not, the current policy on defence within Europe.
Our observer status at the Western European Union is another subject that has to be addressed. I attended a meeting of that body and was struck by the profound different interpretations by the various nations as to what the Western European Union is, its relationship with NATO, as well as individual countries' acceptance or otherwise of the Western European Union. These are matters that will have to be carefully explored over the next few years.
It has been mentioned that what we are providing for is the accession of four countries who will be net contributors to the EU, thereby making it easier for other countries to accept them, and that, conversely, it might be difficult for them to join since they would be seen to be net contributors. Two of the nations have, thankfully, already held their referendums. Norway and Sweden will hold theirs on 23 and 30 November, respectively. It is hoped that both will vote to join the European Union.
Of the two countries that have already voted to join, interestingly one is from central Europe and the other from the periphery which shows that people on opposite sides of the Union, geographically, have decided to come in. That is important. The next widening of the Union will involve small countries like Malta and Cyprus, as well as the major one, Turkey, in respect of which serious questions will have to be addressed. Regardless of how anyone may view Turkey, it is a major player in politics in the east, the near east and in Europe.
The question of membership for the countries of eastern Europe should prove more difficult than the case of countries in western and north western Europe.
While I welcome the Bill, major debates will have to take place if there is to be any further enlargement of the European Union. We are going through what I consider to be the easiest part of the enlargement process with the accession of the four countries in question.