Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 317: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the protections that will exist for Irish neutrality within the Lisbon reform treaty and the associated constitutional amendment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13869/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The provisions of the Reform Treaty in the security and defence area are fully consistent with Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. In particular, the existing safeguard that the European Union's policy in this area "shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States" is maintained, along with the requirement for unanimity in relation to all significant decisions in this area, including the launching of any crisis management mission.

Any deployment of contingents of the Defence Forces overseas will continue to be for sovereign decision of this State, and shall be subject to the requirements of the "triple lock" of Government decision, Dáil approval and UN authorisation.

The twenty-sixth amendment to the Constitution, approved by the people as part of the referendum on ratification of the Nice Treaty in October 2002, prohibits the State from entering into a common defence established under the Treaties. The proposed Constitutional amendment permitting ratification of the Reform Treaty clearly reaffirms this provision.