Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank everybody for his or her contribution. Deputy Boyd Barrett appeared very calm this evening in comparison with his other contributions to debates and I wondered about the reason for it. As I remember it is his birthday tomorrow, that is why he is saving all of his energy for tomorrow and I have no doubt that we will all receive an invitation in the post.

I thank Deputy Jack Chambers for supporting the motion and Members across the House for their comments. Deputies have correctly highlighted the importance of our reputation for peacekeeping. In peacekeeping and crisis management operations the status of forces agreements will offer the Defence Forces equal protection and immunities as colleagues from other countries with which they work in a large number of missions across the world. We also want our personnel to benefit fully from the training available in exercising with peacekeeping partners and contributing states where such opportunities are available. We are facing increasingly complex crisis management operations and such exercises contribute extensively to the capacity and capabilities of any mission. Ratification of SOFAs can ensure the Defence Forces can participate fully in such training exercises without in any way compromising or diminishing our traditional policy on neutrality.

Since becoming Minister of State with responsibility for defence, at both committee level and here in the Dáil we have debated a large number of matters. We will always have differences of opinion and I respect everybody's opinion, but the question of whether Ireland is joining a European army is always to the fore. Deputies Boyd Barrett, Wallace and Pearse Doherty raised that query, but their concerns could not be further from the truth. The Treaty of Lisbon does not provide for the creation of a European army or conscription to any military formation. Any change to this position would require a treaty change, but no such change is proposed. The Treaty of Lisbon explicitly states it does not provide for the creation of a European army or conscription to any military formation and it does not affect or prejudice Ireland's traditional policy on military neutrality. Deputies mentioned Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, the German Prime Minister, Mrs. Merkel, and many others, but I encourage everybody to look at the Lisbon treaty and the protocols around it. It expressly protects our military neutrality against the idea of a European army.

Another question highlighted concerns about Ireland being part of the NATO PfP. There is a principal benefit of participation in the programme.

It has allowed us to enhance the Defence Forces' capabilities and interoperability with other professional military forces for peacekeeping, preventative and crisis management operations under UN mandates. We have been a member of PfP since 1999 and there is no plan whatsoever to join NATO. Participation in PfP is in no way a stepping stone to NATO membership but I can safely say it enhances our capability, interoperability and it helps that we are able to work alongside like-minded states.

The discussion paper launched by the Fine Gael MEP, Brian Hayes some months ago was raised. It was in no way a political policy from my party. This was a discussion paper and it is important that we have people who are interested in defence issues and policy who put out discussion papers that we are able to debate openly and honestly.

In no way did PESCO come out of the blue. I was discussing it at committee level for 18 months before the motion was passed in the House.

I commend the motion to the House. I thank Deputies Jack Chambers and Eamon Ryan for their support. I ask other Members to consider supporting it.

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