asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has been invited to join the Western European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Western European Union.
3.
Ireland has not been invited to join the Western European Union. Moreover, as I stated in response to a question in this House on 17 May last, the Government have no plans to join that organisation.
In view of the fact that we do not have a foreign affairs committee of the House would the Minister not agree that it is important that the House debate such things as membership of the Western European Union, NATO and other such alliances; that we should not be purely negative in our answers at all times, that we should be in a position to debate and give reasons for our stances? Would he agree that a debate in this general area of Government policy would be welcomed at this time?
I have already said that I should like to see more debates on foreign policy in this House. I am quite willing to approach the Government in that regard. There are a number of occasions when matters relating to my Department can be debated in the House, on Estimates, on particular motions. There were, I think, two occasions in the course of last year when there was an agreed time set aside for a motion between the Opposition and the Government on specific issues relating to my Department. I do not see why that could not be repeated in the future.
Would the Minister confirm, in relation to Question No. 3, that to join the Western European Union would mean a reversal of our policy of neutrality?
Yes, I would.
In view of the national paranoia there is about security would the Minister agree that this country has a duty and a role to play in ensuring that the defence and security of this country and that of our allies is secured? If we are not prepared to enter into any alliance — which is perhaps a good thing — would the Minister say where we stand in the case of security——
That does not arise on this question. This is developing into a debate.
Would the Minister agree that some consultation, if not through the Western European Union, between ourselves and our western allies is necessary?
"Allies", what does the Deputy mean by "allies"?
It has been the policy of all Governments for a considerable time now not to take part in any alliances. It has also been the policy of all Governments, when matters relating to defence or military security outside economics security are discussed in the Council of Ministers in Europe, that we do not take part in those discussions because we would consider that to be in breach of our neutrality. It is also our policy not to join the Western European Union. That has been subscribed to by all Governments over the last 30 years. If a debate was to take place on this matter in this House and if the decision of the House was that we should take part in such discussions, then it would be a matter for the Government of the day to implement that decision of this House. But such a debate has not yet taken place here. Therefore I do not feel free to comment one way or the other as to whether we should or should not take part in the debate.