Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I do not see European Governments involving themselves in the level of expenditure on weapons and military capability that would make them an effective counterweight to the United States of America in our lifetime.

On pre-emptive action, Deputy Gormley may or may not be aware that a capability conference will take place in Brussels in November which I hope to attend on behalf of the Government. The details of how battle groups will operate, of what they will consist and of how member states hope to contribute or not will be discussed there. We are at an early stage at the moment and people should not rush to conclusions about pre-emptive action.

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