Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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162. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the details of the upcoming new joint declaration on EU-NATO co-operation in July 2018 and the obligations it will place on the EU; the involvement of Ireland in this co-operation; if it remains possible for member states to opt out of same on an individual basis; if he has expressed concerns on behalf of Ireland in the development and discussion of the joint declaration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29620/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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It is anticipated that the upcoming NATO Summit in July will include a new Joint Declaration regarding EU-NATO Cooperation. It is expected that the declaration will focus primarily on those areas of cooperation already underway under the agreed Common Set of Proposals. 

Ireland welcomes the contribution that EU-NATO co-operation makes to international peace and security through the focus on avoiding duplication of structures, systems and interoperability standards.  This ensures better coherence and effectiveness on the ground in peace support and crisis management operations. 

The 2016 Joint Declaration references respect for the decision-making autonomy and procedures of both organisations.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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163. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to bring forward legislation to give effect to the decision agreed on 25 June 2018 with other EU Ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29621/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The decision referred to in the question is the Council Decision of 25 June 2018 establishing a common set of governance rules for PESCO projects.

In line with the Council Recommendation of 6 March 2018 establishing a PESCO roadmap for the way forward, a common set of governance rules for PESCO projects was adopted on 25 June 2018 at the Foreign Affairs Committee held in Luxembourg.

Roles for project participants and the PESCO Secretariat, and responsibilities for project team members are outlined in the Council Decision. The Council Decision itself provides the correct balance between legal clarity and flexibility. Ireland played an important role in the development of the common set of governance rules and welcomes in particular that they reflect the fact that PESCO is a Member State owned and driven initiative.

As the Council Decision details the general internal rules governing PESCO projects, there is no requirement for legislation to bring effect to the decision. Ireland's participation in PESCO, including the relevant projects, was agreed by Government and approved by Dáil Éireann prior to the Council Decision establishing PESCO on 11 December 2017.