Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Fianna Fáil will be supporting the proposals to ratify the status of force agreement that will facilitate the participation of Ireland in the EU battle groups. When I last was in the House speaking about this matter a few weeks ago, I set out our reasons and rationale for supporting this. It will provide the immunities, privileges and process for the joint co-operation that, as I stated previously, has been happening anyway. The letters of exchange were an exception that went on for many years. It is important we facilitate this. In ratifying the agreement, we are providing for and protecting Irish men and women who serve abroad. It will enhance their training and also their protection while on any foreign mission.

When Ireland plays a role in crisis management, it is important that we provide for the legal certainty for members of our Defence Forces. As the Minister of State stated, in 2016, the Germans questioned the letters of exchange regarding the German-led battle group and for the 2020 battle group.

I also welcome that there is democratic legitimacy to this motion being provided in Dáil Éireann, that it was discussed at committee and that it has been referred back here even though it is currently covered within present treaty law. When Fianna Fáil was last in Government, we supported the development of the EU's rapid response capability in support of the United Nations. This is in keeping with the State's long tradition and policy of support for the United Nations' multilateralism and for the Security Council as the lead authority for the maintenance of international peace and security.

Among the operations in respect of which a battle group could be deployed are those of a humanitarian nature involving assisting, if requested, the authorities in a state that has been devastated by a natural or man-made disaster where there is unlikely to be a UN Security Council resolution because the situation may not involve any security issues. In 2006, Ireland was involved with the Nordic battle group with the EU and this provided for a response. In the context of this agreement, it is important to note that the SOFA protects Irish troops who are abroad. I welcome that.

It is also important that we put on the record that this is part of Ireland having an approach that reflects an active neutrality. An active neutrality reflects the fact that our sovereignty is secure, our democracy is functioning well and Ireland is one of the most established democracies in the world.

It also reflects the fact that we are at a juncture in our development where we have an enhanced opportunity to focus on what we have to offer other members of the international community. An active neutrality says that we have a duty to share the lessons of our experience of peace building on this island and peacekeeping on the international stage with others who may benefit from them. As part of the triple lock and maintaining our status of neutrality, we can offer an independent role on that basis, but we have to be involved to play a positive role. Ignoring the EU SOFA and ignoring co-operation does not achieve that.

It is important that we are a bridge between the developed and the developing world, a global leader in the fight against poverty, disease and underdevelopment and an intermediary and facilitator in peace processes. In that regard it is important that we should never abandon the triple lock, specifically the requirement in the 1954, 1960 and 1993 Defence Acts that there would be a UN mandate when sending a contingent of 12 or more armed Irish troops overseas. It is important that we reflect that Ireland's position of neutrality is a positive policy. We need to ensure that we continue a multilateral approach and continue the triple lock but that we also co-operate with others so that we can defend our country and others against the threats of the 21st century. Our participation in the agreement allows that.

My party will be supporting this motion.

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