Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Members of the House for the interest they have taken in the Bill and for their contributions to the debate. I agree with Deputy Timmins's view that money spent on military equipment will reduce as a result of Ireland's participation in the European Defence Agency, EDA. That is one of the primary purposes of our membership of the EDA. Deputy Timmins also welcomed the fact that there would be greater openness and transparency as a result of the legislation, which I acknowledge and appreciate because that is precisely what will happen.

Deputy Timmins also made the suggestion that the Government should discuss with aid agencies the security of their personnel and the measures they have put in place to ensure that. I will discuss that useful suggestion with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Deputy O'Shea inquired about a number of issues and I can put his mind at rest on all of them. I will mention one in particular. During his contribution he referred to the national declaration on the Lisbon treaty in the context of our response where a member state is the victim of a terrorist attack or armed aggression. The important issue to remember is that the provision of any such assistance by this country, or any member state, is a matter for each state. There is no legal obligation on any member state to respond in any particular way. In our case such assistance would have to be in accordance with our traditional policy of military neutrality. The important thing for Ireland is that our traditional policy of military neutrality is fully respected and that our right to determine the nature of any support thereafter is a matter for the Government alone.

Deputy O'Shea also inquired whether the Bill allows for military capability building for missions not definitively or absolutely yoked to UN mandates. He further inquired whether the Minister holds that there is a presumptive obligation on the Government only to authorise such deployments when that engagement will assist the State's ability to contribute to UN-mandated missions and whether the case is the same for the European Defence Agency.

In Ireland's case, in accordance with the terms-----

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