Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I am on the record as having said that I am against that idea. I do not agree that the age limit should be 18 years.

The European constitution contains an article and protocol on structural co-operation in defence. Under the arrangements, member states could choose to enter into binding commitments on the provision of military capabilities to be used in undertaking the more demanding tasks of peacekeeping, conflict prevention and international security. It was made explicitly clear that this would be done in accordance with the principles of the UN charter and without prejudice to the specific character of the security and defence policies of different member states. It was also made clear that the arrangements were open to all member states. As I have said previously, the Government will examine that carefully and any decision would have to respect fully our traditions, while not affecting the terms under which our Defence Forces can be deployed under the so-called triple-lock mechanism. Therefore, the matter will have to be examined in that context.

The UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, has been anxious for this country to participate and he has been asking us to try to find a way of doing so. Deputy Sargent knows that the other neutral states have already decided to participate in it. It is an issue with which we must deal.

Both this year and last year, I was being asked to ensure there was sufficient information on the European project generally. I was told that we should provide data and not keep people in the dark, yet now I am being asked not to spend money on providing such data.

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