I propose to take Questions Nos. 2 and 10 together.
At the Western European Union ministerial council in Birmingham on 7 May, which I attended as an observer accompanied by the Minister for Defence, the Western European Union confirmed that the Western European Union observer countries — Ireland, Denmark, Austria, Finland and Sweden — have the possibility, on a case by case basis, to participate in the so-called Petersberg tasks. Ireland had made known its interest in the possibility of taking part, on a case by case basis, in the humanitarian and rescue tasks and peacekeeping tasks under the Petersberg declaration. At Birmingham, the Western European Union member states also explicitly recognised the traditionally active role played by the observer countries including Ireland, in the field of UN peacekeeping and the contribution that the observers could bring to Western European Union operations in the Petersberg framework. These are welcome developments. They are very much in line with the Government's position as set out in the White Paper.
The Government's White Paper on Foreign Policy also sets out the reasons Ireland should consider participating in the co-operative framework of Partnership for Peace which was an initiative of President Clinton and launched in January 1994. In his question Deputy Clohessy refers to the fact that nearly every state in Europe has joined Partnership for Peace. The partnership now extends to 43 states: NATO members, Russia, former Soviet Republics, neutral states and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. With its widespread membership and inclusive approach, Partnership for Peace has already assumed an important role in European security co-operation, particularly in such areas as training for peacekeeping and humanitarian operations, environmental protection and drugs interdiction — all areas of major interest to Ireland as a country with a highly respected tradition in peacekeeping and international co-operation.
I attended a meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs on 17 April, at which a useful discussion of Partnership for Peace took place. I sense a growing acceptance and understanding of the reality that the partnership imposes no mutual defence commitments; has no implications for our policy of military neutrality and has nothing to do with NATO's policy of nuclear deterrence. It is concerned rather with increasing co-operation to enhance peacekeeping and humanitarian capability involving virtually every state across the continent of Europe. Far from marking a major change in our approach to security and defence issues, Partnership for Peace is consistent with Ireland's traditional support and encouragement for such inclusive security co-operation.
Accordingly, it is my intention that consultations between officials of my Department and NATO will shortly take place to explore further the benefits which Ireland could derive from Partnership for Peace. As the White Paper makes clear, the Government decided that a decision on participation in the partnership will only be taken by the Government in the light of consultations, including with the relevant committees of the Oireachtas, and such a decision will be subject to a motion on the terms and scope of any participation by Ireland being approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas.