Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland will join a European Union common defence and security arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7629/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland's position is absolutely clear. The amendment to Bunreacht na hÉireann approved by the people in October 2002 at the initiation of the Government precludes Ireland from participating in a common defence. It is the Government's intention that this prohibition be carried over in the context of the ratification of the European Constitution.

I am not aware of any proposals under consideration by the EU member states to establish an EU common defence. Were such a proposal to be tabled in the future it would have to be decided by the European Council acting unanimously and adopted by the member states in accordance with their constitutional requirements. In order for Ireland to participate in a common defence the people would first have to approve the amendment of Bunreacht na hÉireann.

I had a number of in depth discussions with senior members of the United Nations Secretariat including the recently appointed Chief of Staff of the UN Secretary General, Mark Malloch Brown. This meeting provided an opportunity for a detailed discussion of the practical and policy issues involved in the preparations for the September summit. We also reviewed the impact of the interim report of the independent inquiry committee into the management of the UN's Oil for Food Programme and the need for urgent remedial action in response to the report. We also reviewed general management issues in the UN system.

The meetings confirmed my view that the September summit represents a critical opportunity to enhance the legitimacy and effectiveness of the multilateral system with the UN at its core. It is incumbent on Ireland and all members of the United Nations to do what they can to ensure that this opportunity is not wasted.