Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I presume that the Deputy is alluding to an article in of 22 June, following the European Council of the same date. As the Deputy will be aware, discussions within the EU in the area of defence and security take place in the context of the Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, including at regular meetings of Heads of State and Government. The European Council of 22 June last reviewed the progress report on the overall implementation of the EU global strategy, as well as the implementation of the EU-NATO declaration of July 2016. The development of the EU’s security and defence policy received particular attention, reflecting the focus on the security environment. The Heads of State and Government committed themselves to strengthening the capacity of the Union to deliver on its international security and defence commitments. This, in turn, contributes to the security of our own citizens by addressing at their source threats, such as terrorism, which have their roots in instability in our neighbourhood. The Council sought to give impetus to those existing security initiatives agreed in the Lisbon treaty and the EU global strategy, focusing on crisis management planning structures, capability development and defence expenditure.

The upcoming Franco-German meeting taking place on 13 July in Paris is part of ongoing bilateral relations between France and Germany. The Franco-German joint ministerial meetings have been taking place since 2003 and the meeting scheduled for Paris on 13 July is the next scheduled meeting in that format. Participation encompasses the ministerial cabinet of both the Government of Germany and the Government of France.  It is not unusual for EU member states to meet in bilateral or multilateral formations to discuss priority areas where they would hold views in common, including in the area of security and defence. These engagements do not prejudice the formal EU decision making processes.

Within the EU, it is accepted that the area of defence and security is a national competence. Ireland continues to have an equal voice on defence issues within the EU institutions. The treaties require that the EU respects the specific and different policies of member states in the area of security and defence and that has not changed. Ireland always seeks to be constructive and realistic in EU discussions in this area and we continue to strongly support the CSDP and any initiatives that strengthen the EU's capacity to act as an international peace provider, particularly in support of the United Nations.

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