Vol. 493 No. 5
93 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the public unease in relation to the common foreign and security policy of the EU arising out of unfounded rumours in general discussions on this subject and drawing Ireland's neutrality into question; and if he will make a statement on the likely development of the policy and the impact of this development on our neutrality. [16598/98]
Unfounded and inaccurate statements, which sought to engender unwarranted fears about the undermining of Irish military neutrality, were made by some opponents of the Amsterdam Treaty in the course of the recent referendum campaign. The Amsterdam Treaty provisions on the common foreign and security policy represent no threat to Ireland's policy of military neutrality. They respond to traditional Irish concerns, most notably through the emphasis placed on the Petersberg tasks of peacekeeping and crisis management. The development of the common foreign and security policy will take place within the framework and procedures of the Amsterdam Treaty which, as I have stated, poses no threats to Ireland's policy of military neutrality.
