Let us be absolutely clear about the existing treaty provisions. There is already provision in the existing treaty for a possible European Union common defence. However, a decision for a common defence would be a matter for the European Council, acting unanimously, and for member states, acting in accordance with their constitutional requirements. This is a point which we made on many occasions during the negotiations for the Nice treaty. In that regard, I was distressed by the rather unusual logic that was applied by Senator Norris in his colourful but inaccurate contribution. The possibility of a common defence has been agreed on three successive occasions, in the ratification by the Irish people of the Maastricht, Amsterdam and Nice treaties, but the arrangements are clearly circumscribed, as I have indicated.