Vol. 565 No. 1
116 Mr. Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether the Government agrees with proposals from the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroder, to pursue enhanced co-operation in the field of common foreign and security policy, using the mechanisms of the Nice treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10113/03]
The Treaty of Nice provides for the extension of enhanced co-operation to the Common Foreign and Security Policy when implementing common positions or joint actions which have already been agreed by unanimity. Under this provision, a group of member states can take forward implementation of a joint action or common position using the enhanced co-operation arrangements provided for in the treaty if a decision to do so is taken in Council by qualified majority vote. The treaty, as amended at Nice, also provides for an "emergency brake" where a member state feels its vital national interest is at issue. To date, these provisions have not been used.
Security and defence matters were specifically excluded from the scope of enhanced co-operation under the Amsterdam treaty and this position was carried over into the Treaty of Nice.
I am aware of recent joint proposals in this area put forward by Germany and France in the context of discussions under way in the Convention on the Future of Europe. While we are prepared to listen to the views of these and other EU partners on this matter, the Government considers that the parameters of any proposed provision for enhanced co-operation in this area would need to be very carefully considered. I would note once again that the EU already has the potential to achieve much under existing arrangements, including through constructive abstention.
Following approval of the constitutional amendment put forward by the Government, Ireland may not participate in an EU Common Defence without further amendment of the Constitution approved by the people in a referendum.
Question No. 117 answered with Question No. 68.
