Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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55. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there are any implications for Ireland's neutrality as a result of recent joint European Union defence plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39829/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to: - The Council conclusions from 14 November on implementing the EU Global Strategy in the area of Security and Defence;

- The European Defence Action Plan as the European Commission’s contribution to developing European security and defence policy; and,

- The Council conclusions of 6 December on a common set of proposals designed to implement the EU-NATO Warsaw Joint Declaration of 08 July.

Ireland will continue to support initiatives, through the Common Security and defence Policy (CSDP), which improve the capacity of the Union to contribute to international peace and security, particularly in support of the UN.  We support cooperation with international partners where this adds value and contributes to the achievement of these objectives.

All three elements take account of the specific character of Ireland’s security and defence policy and have no implications for Ireland’s neutrality.