Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

Ireland's neutrality is well recognised, as it is in previous protocols. There is nothing in the position of foreign minister/external relations high representative that will in any way undermine it.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh referred to opt out which touches on the point made by Deputy Ó Caoláin. In general we do not like such clauses for the simple reason that it makes the process extraordinarily cumbersome. It is far better to be part of the mainstream and to negotiate positions. We have an opt in arrangement in regard to immigration, asylum and external borders. That arises out of the reality that we have no option but to join the British. That issue arose earlier under the Schengen Agreement and we must consider the implications for Ireland of the British arrangements in the criminal law area. I do not believe that we should automatically subscribe to whatever arrangements the British come to. I agree with Deputy Ó Caoláin that we have to make a decision on where the balance lies in its own right.

There was a great deal of discussion on the issue of competition. There is a fairly oblique reference to the protocol which deals with the Internal Market and competition which came in following President Sarcosi's intervention. Apart from that brief reference there is nothing that changes the existing arrangements. There was a specific reference to services of general economic interest, to which I also referred and which I welcome because it is something with which those of us who are concerned about social Europe might have had some difficulties. It was addressed in a positive rather than a negative sense.

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