Pádraic McCormack
Ceist:45 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed issues relating to Irish neutrality with his European Union counterparts. [26824/03]
Written Answers. - Military Neutrality.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:54 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the most advantageous position for Ireland to adopt in the context of foreign policy, defence, security and neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26830/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 54 together.
The national declaration put forward by Ireland at the June 2002 Seville European Council reaffirmed our continued attachment to our traditional policy of military neutrality. In line with this policy, the national declaration specified that Ireland is not party to any mutual defence commitment, that we are not party to any plans to develop a European army and that Ireland will take its own sovereign decision on whether Irish troops should participate in humanitarian or crisis management tasks mounted by the EU, based on the requirements set out in relevant national legislation of UN endorsement, Government decision and Dáil approval.
The declaration also made clear that Ireland will not adopt any decision taken by the European Council to move to a common defence or ratify any future treaty which would involve a departure from our traditional policy of military neutrality unless it has first been approved by the Irish people in a referendum.
This approach was endorsed by the electorate in the October 2002 referendum on the Nice treaty and has since informed the Government's approach to all relevant discussions on security and defence issues at EU level, including in the context of the ongoing Intergovernmental conference.
Ireland's national statement at Seville was accompanied by a supporting statement by the European Council. Together, these two documents have confirmed, both from a national perspective and from that of the European Council, that our traditional policy of military neutrality is fully understood and respected by all our EU partners, as well as by organisations such as NATO. I am happy to confirm that this position has been upheld throughout all of my contacts with EU partners on security and defence issues.
Against this background, I consider that most advantageous position for Ireland in respect of the areas outlined by Deputy Durkan remains as set out in our national declaration put forward at the Seville European Council.
Question No. 46 answered with Question No. 36.