Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I tried to change the date of parliamentary questions to the Minister for Defence from today in order to be able to attend the meeting in Bratislava. Unfortunately, I was told a motion would have to be tabled in the House to change the date of parliamentary questions. The Dáil was not sitting during the summer months when I realised I would to have to answer parliamentary questions on the same date as the meeting in Bratislava.

I do not believe I have to instruct the Secretary General on our policy. He fully understands our policy of neutrality and I can assure the Deputy that he will defend it. Ireland remains constitutionally debarred from participation in a common EU defence policy. The legally binding Irish protocol to the Lisbon treaty ratified in the Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution provides that any decision to move to a common defence will require a unanimous decision of the European Council. It would be a matter for member states, including Ireland, to decide in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon and the respective constitutional requirements whether oto adopt a common defence policy. I repeat that Ireland has no plans or proposals to change it policy of neutrality.

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