Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Jan 1994

Vol. 437 No. 7

Written Answers. - European Defence Policy.

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

61 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent speech to the Institute of International Strategic Studies in Brussels by the President of the European Commission, Mr. Jacques Delors, in which he expressed the view that the Community needed strategic defence planning and that the Western European Union should develop into a genuine European defence structure; if the Government concurs with this view; if not, the steps, if any, he will take to ensure that the President is made aware of the Government's views; if he will publish a document on the way in which the Government sees the development of European Defence Policy in the context of Maastricht and the proposed review in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I am aware of the speech made by the President of the Commission to the Institute of International Strategic Studies in Brussels. He was speaking in his own name and was not expressing a position agreed by the member states of the European Union.

Under Article J.4.2 of the Treaty, issues arising under the Common Foreign and Security Policy which have defence implications may be referred to the Western European Union for elaboration and implementation. Relations between the Western European Union and the Atlantic Alliance are a matter for the member states of those organisations.

Discussion on the scope and content of a future common defence policy and on the question of a common defence are for further negotiations. The Maastricht Treaty specifically provides for an intergovernmental conference in 1996 to review the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

The results of these negotiations will have to be agreed unanimously by all the member states. Moreover, the Programme for a Partnership Government makes clear that the outcome of any future negotiation that would involve Ireland's participation in a Common Defence Policy will be put to the people in a referendum.

I agree with the Deputy on the need for a full and informed discussion on the question of European security and defence in the light of the ongoing developments in this area and in preparation for the 1996 intergovernmental conference. It is one of the areas that I would like to see taken up by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs. I will also consider the Deputy's suggestion to publish a document on the matter.