Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2004
40 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the provisions in the new EU constitution, Article 313(3), which provide for the establishment of a start-up fund made of member states’ contributions to finance preparatory activities for the Petersberg Tasks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30264/04]
View answerIn Article III — 313, paragraph 3, of the European constitution, provision is made for a start-up fund for the urgent financing of initiatives in the framework of the common foreign and security policy and, in particular, for preparatory activities in respect of the Petersberg Tasks.
The provision arises from the fact that operations having military or defence implications are not financed from the Union budget. Such operations are therefore financed by contributions from member states. This is currently the case under the provisions of the Nice treaty and will remain so after the entry into force of the European constitution.
The procedures for establishing, financing and administering the start-up fund are not elaborated in the constitution. It remains for the Council, once the constitution has entered into force, to adopt decisions establishing such procedures, on foot of a proposal by the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs.
