I must remark on the very positive contribution of the Minister of State, Deputy Roche, and the Government's amendment, which acknowledges the possibility of "a decision to move at some stage in the future to a common defence", which "would still continue to be for decision by the European Council acting unanimously". These are the politics of the situation. What it means is that we will have to face this issue in the not too distant future. With this motion, the Fine Gael Party is trying to force the pace and put the matter under discussion. By asking hard questions within the House we are trying to persuade the public to answer them. Can we be a full part of the new, expanded European Union if we are not prepared to play a role in the defence of that Union, its politics and ethos? That is the fundamental issue to be addressed.