Ivan Yates
Ceist:34 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the principles on which Ireland's position on neutrality is based. [16459/98]
Written Answers. - Military Neutrality.
Gay Mitchell
Ceist:39 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the principles on which Ireland's position on neutrality is based. [16463/98]
Alan M. Dukes
Ceist:44 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the principles on which Ireland's position on neutrality is based. [16460/98]
Jim Mitchell
Ceist:57 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the principles on which Ireland's position on neutrality is based. [16462/98]
Nora Owen
Ceist:79 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the principles on which Ireland's position on neutrality is based. [16461/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 39, 44, 57 and 79 together.
I have previously stated in this House my belief that Ireland's policy of military neutrality has a positive and constructive value. It is an important element of our foreign policy, reflected in our approach of active engagement with key international issues. Ireland's policy of military neutrality has been in keeping with the desire of Irish people to see Ireland play a constructive and honourable role in international efforts to address the causes of conflict, to respond to international crises and humanitarian disasters when they occur and to contribute to the efforts of the international community to manage and bring to an end such crises.