Mr. Maurice Quinn:

The best way to start my response is to state that Ireland's policy is that of effective multilateralism. That means participating in the international community to the greatest extent possible, both as part of our obligations to that international community and also for our own national purposes. With regard to developments in the European Union, work in that field is all carried out under the direction of the Heads of State and Government in the European Council and within the context of the Lisbon treaty. There are many conversations taking place at present about the changed security dynamic in the European neighbourhood and within the European Union, and the effect that this is having on security and defence perspectives within the EU. We are working with both our defence and military staff and with our foreign affairs colleagues in Europe to present the Irish position on this.

Everything we do is within the scope of the treaties but there is no doubt that there is a greater focus on security and defence in the European Union and that we are participating in the conversations in that regard. To the extent that we can, we frame those in a way which recognises national positions, including our policy of military neutrality, and the positions of others. It is a fact that there is a major overlap in membership between the EU and NATO and that there is a major focus from other countries on ensuring there is no duplication between the two. Most countries have only one set of military personnel for use on all fronts. We are comfortable with the nature of the relationship between the EU and NATO because it respects the principles and separate decision-making autonomy of both bodies. That is what is moving on there.

On our participation, I will go back to one point of detail. The European Union Military Committee was established, I think, in 2002 and Ireland has been a member from day 1.