Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Peter Kelly was in possession. There is a total of 18 minutes remaining in the slot.

Peter Kelly (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to share my time with the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea.

Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.

Peter Kelly (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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The guarantees secured by the Government helped dispel many of the groundless and unnecessary fears raised by those on the "No" side, in particular the suggestion that voting for the Lisbon treaty would lead to conscription or to the establishment of a European army. The guarantees specifically and effectively addressed that scaremongering, as did the positive and detailed information disseminated by the Minister for Defence in the months leading up to the referendum on the Lisbon treaty.

Ireland's leadership in the EU peacekeeping mission to Chad as well as the ceremonies and events in 2008 arising from the 50th anniversary of this country's first United Nations peacekeeping mission have helped create a positive public image of Ireland's proud record as the provider of military peacekeepers.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Members of the House for the interest they have taken in the Bill and for their contributions to the debate. I agree with Deputy Timmins's view that money spent on military equipment will reduce as a result of Ireland's participation in the European Defence Agency, EDA. That is one of the primary purposes of our membership of the EDA. Deputy Timmins also welcomed the fact that there would be greater openness and transparency as a result of the legislation, which I acknowledge and appreciate because that is precisely what will happen.

Deputy Timmins also made the suggestion that the Government should discuss with aid agencies the security of their personnel and the measures they have put in place to ensure that. I will discuss that useful suggestion with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Deputy O'Shea inquired about a number of issues and I can put his mind at rest on all of them. I will mention one in particular. During his contribution he referred to the national declaration on the Lisbon treaty in the context of our response where a member state is the victim of a terrorist attack or armed aggression. The important issue to remember is that the provision of any such assistance by this country, or any member state, is a matter for each state. There is no legal obligation on any member state to respond in any particular way. In our case such assistance would have to be in accordance with our traditional policy of military neutrality. The important thing for Ireland is that our traditional policy of military neutrality is fully respected and that our right to determine the nature of any support thereafter is a matter for the Government alone.

Deputy O'Shea also inquired whether the Bill allows for military capability building for missions not definitively or absolutely yoked to UN mandates. He further inquired whether the Minister holds that there is a presumptive obligation on the Government only to authorise such deployments when that engagement will assist the State's ability to contribute to UN-mandated missions and whether the case is the same for the European Defence Agency.

In Ireland's case, in accordance with the terms-----

Seán Ardagh (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As it is now 7 p.m. I will have to conclude the debate.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I can put the Acting Chairman's mind at rest on all those matters.

I thank the Members again for taking this Bill at such short notice and I look forward to a constructive debate on later Stages.