Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

With regard to militarisation, is the Minister of State aware that the majority of our citizens are totally opposed to the idea of a European superstate that could become more centralised and more militarised? What is the Minister of State's response to the recent remarks of EU Ambassador to the United States, John Bruton, that the EU constitution would help the European Union become a more effective partner of the United States? What did Mr. Bruton mean by this? Does the Minister of State agree that Ireland should pursue its security concerns within the OSCE and the reformed United Nations rather than through the European Union as he stated?

Should Ireland seek to promote European and international security through a policy of disarmament and demilitarisation and therefore oppose the militarisation of the European Union? I urge the Minister of State to refuse to co-operate with or condone policies or military groupings that maintain nuclear weapons. Does he not see a contradiction in complaining regularly in this House about Sellafield and how dangerous it is for Ireland while at the same time getting closer to nuclear powers in the European Union? Does he agree that many citizens feel we are moving in that direction and that the Government is basically joining this group by stealth?

The debate on the European constitution could fall or stand on this issue. The people want to play a part in the United Nations, but not in any other alliances. Will the Minister of State accept that there is widespread concern among many of our citizens on this issue?

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