Unless we want to hand over the implementation of Irish and EU foreign policy lock, stock and barrel to US President George Bush and his cohorts in Washington, we have no choice but to make available the capacity to enforce – and I use that word advisedly – EU foreign policy within our continent. That is something in which we should wilfully and actively seek to participate. We have an effective veto and do not have to participate in the Rapid Reaction Force unless we so choose, and we can opt out at any stage, as can any other participating nation. For us to stand aside from it completely, however, would be to abdicate any responsibility we have to the people of the Balkans and it is not difficult to think of other places where similar circumstances could arise.