Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2004
39 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on his efforts to implement the draft EU Constitution’s solidarity clause prior to an agreement on an EU Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9108/04]
View answer55 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the EU Solidarity Protocol; if it will not involve EU troops being sent outside of the EU’s border. [10071/04]
View answer93 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has sought the support of EU leaders for the implementation of a clause contained in the draft EU Constitution that would commit all member states to help each other in response to terrorist threats. [9095/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 39, 55 and 93 together.
Last week a Declaration on Solidarity Against Terrorism was adopted by the Heads of State or Government of the EU member states at a meeting of the European Council. It formed part of the EU's response to the terrorist attacks in Madrid on 11 March.
The declaration calls on member states to act in the spirit of the solidarity clause of the draft treaty establishing a constitution for Europe. The declaration clearly states that each member state must determine its response to a request for assistance. It does not commit member states to help each other. Any decision that has military implications under the solidarity clause would be taken by unanimity.
The declaration was based on the solidarity clause of the draft treaty establishing a constitution for Europe. The clause does not affect Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. It should not be confused with the mutual defence clause of the draft treaty. Our response to a situation covered by the solidarity clause would be consistent with relevant national constitutional and legislative provisions.
Any action taken under the terms of the declaration will not involve troops being sent outside the borders of the EU. In accordance with the Union's European security and defence policy, military personnel under EU auspices can only be deployed outside the borders of the EU to undertake humanitarian, peacekeeping and crisis management tasks. This is known as the Petersberg Tasks.
