Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 12: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether Ireland should be involved in the construction of a new European security system as set out in the Fine Gael election manifesto. [8821/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government's approach to European security will be in full conformity with the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), as set out in the Lisbon Treaty. The CSDP, which is an integral part of the Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy, provides the Union with an operational capacity to undertake civilian and military missions outside the EU for peace-keeping, conflict prevention, and the strengthening of international security in accordance of the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The CSDP is entirely consistent with Ireland's values and interests, including the primacy of the United Nations. As a small EU member State with a great deal of experience in peacekeeping and conflict resolution, and an impressive development assistance programme, Ireland has a valuable part to play in international crisis management and the CSDP offers us an additional important forum in which to play such a role.

Ireland played an active role in the development and implementation of the CSDP. For instance, we were a significant contributor to the successful EU operation in Chad and Central African Republic. The CSDP also has a strong civilian dimension: 16 out of the 24 EU missions so far have been civilian in character. Ireland currently participates in six EU civilian missions and two of the EU's three military missions. Ireland has played a full part in the evolution of the CSDP to date and we will have an equally close involvement in its future developments.