Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

It is important for me to reiterate the point made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he touched on this matter this morning. When one reads this fairly arcane legislative reference, it is difficult for one to understand what it means. There continues to be a policy of keeping Common Foreign and Security Policy decisions outside the provisions which are being brought into domestic law, with certain exceptions. We have been strongly advised that to achieve that purpose, this section should be retained as it currently stands. If the Deputy would like further elaboration or clarification on the matter, he should reread the section of the Minister's speech in which he explained the logic behind this provision. It was well explained. As I have said, its basic purpose is to keep certain Common Foreign and Security Policy decisions outside the provisions which are being brought into domestic law.

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