Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to developments in the sphere of European common defence and security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19549/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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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 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 ESDP 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 Article 29 of 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 is continuing to develop its capabilities for crisis management under ESDP, 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. There are eleven ESDP crisis management missions currently underway, nine of which are civilian and two of which are military. The civilian missions range from police and rule of law advisory and training missions, assistance to security sector reform, border monitoring missions and ceasefire monitoring missions. The two military missions are the peace stabilisation mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR Althea) and the EU support to the African Union's mission in Darfur, Sudan (AMIS).

In addition, the EU is due to launch a military crisis management mission in the DRC at the request of the UN to provide support for the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) during the electoral period in the DRC. An EU Planning Team is also due to be deployed to Kosovo within the next month, in order to prepare for a possible rule of law advisory mission in that country.

Ireland participates in five of the ongoing eleven missions and has also offered up to ten military personnel for the forthcoming military crisis management mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.