Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the EU States which have agreed to participate in the development of EU battlegroups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6849/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed Ireland's participation in an EU security and defence force with the Department of Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6851/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the contacts he has had in the past 12 months with other EU states concerning Ireland's proposed participation in EU battle groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7103/06]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has discussed an EU security and defence force with his European counterparts at recent meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6850/06]

Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration will be given to enshrining the triple lock in the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7105/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the legislation his Department is considering or preparing to allow Irish troops to fully participate in EU battlegroups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7104/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself regarding the extent of Ireland's participation in European defence and security measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7430/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 250: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the result of discussions he might have had with his European colleagues in respect of European defence and security measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7435/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 85, 91, 117, 123, 128, 144, 245 and 250 together.

The European security and defence policy, ESDP, is an integral part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy, CFSP, and serves the Union's general objectives of peace and stability. These objectives and the provisions governing the ESDP are set out in the Treaties of Amsterdam and of Nice, which were approved by referendum. In this context, the European Union is increasing its ability to contribute to both the civilian and military dimensions of crisis management.

It is important to distinguish between the ESDP, which continues to develop, and the possibility of a common defence. Any move to a common defence would be for decision by the European Council acting unanimously and in accordance with member states' constitutional requirements. At present, there are no proposals for such a move. In any event, Ireland's position is clear. The amendment to Bunreacht na hÉireann in October 2002 precludes Ireland from participating in a common defence. As a consequence, the Irish people would have to amend Bunreacht na hÉireann before Ireland could take part in a common defence.

The Union continues to develop its capabilities for crisis management, both military and civilian. The objectives which it has set itself are clearly set out in the military headline goal 2010 and the civilian headline goal 2008. The General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on 21 November 2005 reviewed the progress of activities in both of these areas. The Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, on behalf of the Minister for Defence, reported to the House on 7 December 2005 in relation to the military elements of the discussion. On progress towards the civilian headline goal, Ministers adopted a declaration in which they reiterated their strong commitment to the further development of civilian crisis management and noted with satisfaction the work undertaken to date. Ministers recommended that priority should be given to improving the EU's ability to react more quickly to crises, as well as to addressing issues related to the logistical support and financing of the EU's civilian crisis management actions.

An important aspect of ESDP is the development of a stand-by military rapid response capacity, in the form of battlegroups. As Deputies will be aware, the establishment by the EU of such a capacity has received the strong support of the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, and been endorsed in the outcome document of the world summit last September.

Almost all EU member states have already made a commitment to contribute to a specific battlegroup formation. Apart from Ireland, the only countries which have not done so are Denmark, which is in a special position due to its opt-out in this area, and Malta. Ireland has indicated to its EU partners a positive disposition to taking part in battlegroups, and the legal, operational and other issues surrounding participation have been considered by an interdepartmental working group established by the Minister for Defence, which included representatives of my own Department. The report of the working group has been considered by the Cabinet committee on European affairs and informally by the Government. Further to this consideration, as the Minister for Defence recently announced, exploratory discussions with like-minded countries will begin shortly with regard to the possibility of participation by the Defence Forces in a battlegroup.

As I have previously reported to the House in Questions No. 241 of 2 February 2005, Question No. 36 of 28 April 2005 and Question No. 45 of 2 June 2005, I met the Foreign Ministers of Sweden and Finland in January 2005 and the Foreign Minister of Austria in April 2005. I discussed a range of issues, including possible Irish participation in battlegroups. I have not had any more recent discussions with EU counterparts on the matter. As regards legislation to allow Irish troops to participate in EU battle groups, the Deputy will be aware from recent statements by my colleague, the Minister for Defence, that he intends to introduce legislation to amend the Defence Acts in a number of respects.

As the Taoiseach, the Minister for Defence and I have stated on many occasions, the Government remains committed to the triple lock requirements of UN approval, Government decision and Dáil resolution. However, the Government sees no reason for a constitutional amendment to enshrine the triple lock in the Constitution. The 1937 Constitution, consistent with our system of representative democracy, invested certain responsibilities in relation to foreign and security policy in the Government and the Oireachtas. The Constitution is not intended, nor is it the purpose of a Constitution to do so, to spell out every aspect of the functioning of the State. I believe that matters like the triple lock are more appropriately dealt with by the Government and the Oireachtas, in exercise of the responsibilities given to them by the Constitution, rather than in the Constitution itself.