Dáil debates

Tuesday, 10 March 2009

Other Questions

Constitutional Amendments.

2:30 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Defence the changes in the role and structures of the Defence Forces that may result should the constitutional amendment enabling the ratification of the Lisbon treaty be approved; if there is a possibility that conscription could be introduced under the Lisbon treaty; the grounds on which he reaches that conclusion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9864/09]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Lisbon treaty will have no impact on the organisation, structure or roles of the Defence Forces. National security will continue to remain the sole responsibility of each member state. In addition, the treaty will not have any impact on Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality.

Any decision by Ireland to participate in EU-led military crisis management operations will be for sovereign decision on a case-by-case basis and in line with Irish constitutional and legislative arrangements. The triple lock provisions requiring a Government decision, Dáil approval and UN authorisation will continue to apply in regard to the overseas deployment of contingents of the Irish Defence Forces for service in peace support and crisis management operations.

I am well aware that the issue of a European army and the possibility of conscription into such an army was an issue of great concern to many during the previous referendum debate. I would like to provide a concrete assurance to all those who were concerned, and to everybody else, that there is absolutely no provision in the Lisbon treaty, or in any other EU treaties, which would facilitate the establishment of a European army or the introduction of conscription to any such army. The obligation to military service is strictly a matter of policy for individual member states, which, in Ireland's case, is entirely voluntary and will remain so.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister's response. I agree that in the previous referendum campaign it was a matter of major concern for mothers especially, that if they supported the Lisbon treaty their sons or daughters could be conscripted into a European army. That argument was used extensively by the "No" campaigners and it did register with people. I hope the Minister's clarification will resonate with all those people who had concerns about that matter and which was one of the reasons they voted against the treaty.

Does the Minister think there is a need for a protocol to be inserted in the next agreement to clarify the matter and outline clearly that if the Lisbon treaty is passed, in no way will it or could it lead to a European army to which Irish citizens could be conscripted?

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is a bit beyond the terms of the question in so far as the drafting of a constitutional amendment does not fall to the Minister for Defence.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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But drafting does.

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I accept Deputy Deenihan's point. People were led to believe, and some people unfortunately did believe, during the recent referendum campaign that no sooner would the ink be dry on the Lisbon treaty if it was passed than a press gang would arrive in the early hours of the morning to conscript everybody's sons and daughters from one end of the country to the other into a non-existent European army.

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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It worked.

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Yes. Unfortunately, too many people believed it.

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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People were more concerned with the leader of the Minister's party.

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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There is nothing whatsoever in the Lisbon treaty which facilitates, enables or compels the establishment of a European army and since the Lisbon treaty does not provide for any European army, there is nothing to be conscripted into. That is the reality of it.

Regarding Deputy Deenihan's question on the need for a protocol, we have tried to make the issue as clear as possible and we will do so again. The Government is currently discussing the possibility of a protocol, which would make it even more clear. Discussions are ongoing on that matter. We will have more discussions on it this week. I agree that many people were badly and sadly misled by that allegation, which has no basis in fact whatsoever.

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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I wish to ask the Minister about a related issue. Will he give us an absolute assurance that nothing contained in the Lisbon treaty can undermine or change the situation regarding the triple lock mechanism that governs military actions in which the State can become involved?

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am only too delighted to give Deputy O'Shea that absolute assurance. The triple lock mechanism has to be complied with before this country engages in any foreign peacekeeping operation. That is the situation now and it will be the situation if the Lisbon treaty is passed. There will be no change.