Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The statement by the Commission President is not something new. He has made similar statements in the past.  However, these are matters for the EU member states to decide together and do not fall within the competence of the European Commission. Proposals have been around for some time that the EU should establish a joint operational headquarters to support the planning and conduct of its civil and military operations.  A permanent joint civil-military operational headquarters, appropriately configured, could potentially deliver more effective and responsive CSDP operations in support of the UN and international peace and security, a position which Ireland supports. However, this is a matter which EU member states, including Ireland, will consider in the context of the implementation plan for the recently published EU Global Strategy of Foreign and Security Policy. Ireland will participate fully in that process and in the ongoing development of the EU Common Security and Defence Policy in support of the UN and international peacekeeping and crisis management.

The Treaty of Lisbon does not provide for the creation of a European army or for conscription of any military formation. The Government’s 2015 review of foreign policy and the Defence White Paper confirmed that Ireland will continue to maintain a policy of military neutrality which is characterised by non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements.

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