Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let me assure the Deputy that at every opportunity I reaffirm Ireland's position and policy on neutrality.

The proposals in the action plan fully respect the EU treaties and the Lisbon protocols and they pose no challenge to Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. Therefore, there is no requirement for me to reconfirm Ireland's neutrality to my European counterparts at this stage. Let me assure the Deputy that at all stages officials in my Department will carefully consider the proposals within the action plan as they become more clearly defined to ensure we remain within the confines of our policy on neutrality. If, at any stage, we see that there is a shift from that, I will reaffirm Ireland's position on military neutrality.

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