Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Defence the impact the Lisbon treaty will have on the Defence Forces. [13550/08]

Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Lisbon Treaty will have little or no impact on the Defence Forces as an organisation. The Treaty does make some amendments to existing provisions on security and defence. However, it does not alter their essential features. Firstly, national security will continue to remain the sole responsibility of each member state. Secondly, the Treaty will not have any impact on Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. Any decision by Ireland to participate in EU-led military crisis management operations will be for sovereign decision on a case-by-case basis and in line with Irish constitutional and legislative arrangements.

The "triple lock" provisions requiring a Government decision, Dáil approval, and UN authorisation will continue to apply in relation to service abroad by contingents of the Irish Defence Forces. Finally, Ireland's position on the question of an EU common defence is also very clear. Under our Constitution we cannot and will not participate in a common defence without the prior consent of the people in a referendum.