Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 January 2014
532. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence his policy in relation to common defence; the policy of co-operation in the area of military capability development at EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2256/14]
View answerThe operation and implementation of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is separate and distinct from a European common defence.
Ireland participates fully in CSDP and in the related institutional arrangements within the European Union. Ireland contributes to CSDP civil and military missions, and participates in co-operative arrangements within the EU for the development and delivery of military capabilities, including through active engagement in the European Defence Agency. We have been a strong supporter of the role taken by the European Defence Agency in relation to the development and delivery of capabilities for CSDP operations and its role in supporting the development of a more competitive and efficient defence industry, which could reduce the cost of equipment procurement to the Defence Forces. To this end, Ireland has participated in a range of EDA programmes, including on Force Protection, Maritime Surveillance and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear protection.
In 2010, the EDA embarked on a new initiative in the area of co-operative military capability development called "Pooling and Sharing". The concept involves groups of Member States coming together and pooling resources so as to retain, maintain and/or enhance their military capabilities which they can make available for Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) operations. Ireland is currently participating in a pooling and sharing initiative, taking the lead role in a study on Naval Training which is examining the potential for pooling and sharing training across the 11 participating member States.
Ireland’s participation in co-operative military capability development initiatives is designed to develop and enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces on crisis management operations and to deliver greater efficiency and effectiveness in this regard. None of these initiatives impose any obligations on Ireland and we retain the right to determine when and where we will co-operate on such initiatives.
In relation to the issue of a European Union Common Defence, the position of the Government is clear. Article 29.4.9 of the Constitution specifically prohibits participation by the State in a European common defence. There is also a significant legal underpinning for Ireland’s view on the defence aspects of the EU, which is reflected in Title III of the Protocol on the concerns of the Irish people on the Treaty of Lisbon. Any decision by Ireland to participate in an EU Common Defence would be a matter for the people to decide.
