Written answers

Friday, 7 September 2018

Department of Defence

Permanent Structured Co-operation

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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2. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will address concerns that Ireland's participation in PESCO is undermining the triple lock guarantees protecting Irish neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35722/18]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) has no implications for Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.

The triple lock mechanism (UN mandate, Government and Dáil approval), is the decision making process under which contingents of the Permanent Defence Force may be deployed overseas on international peace support and crisis management operations.  PESCO relates to an EU mechanism for the development of defence capabilities.  They are two entirely separate issues and participation in PESCO has no implications for the triple lock decision mechanism. 

The PESCO participation criteria expressly stipulate that PESCO will be undertaken in full compliance with the Treaty on European Union and the associated protocols and will respect the Member States' constitutional provisions.  The European treaties require that the EU respects the specific and different policies of Member States in the area of security and defence and that has not been changed or compromised by our participation in PESCO.

PESCO was specifically referenced in the Lisbon Treaty Protocol, and in Ireland’s national declaration, to address the concerns of the Irish People.  The Legislation setting down Ireland’s approval process for PESCO was published in advance of that Vote and enacted in November 2009.  The Defence Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 2009 required Government and Dáil approval for participation in PESCO, both of which were secured before Ireland notified its intention to participate in PESCO.

While we choose to remain neutral, this is not out of any lack of interest in issues underpinning conflicts or any isolationist stance.  Ireland’s approach to international relations is founded on full and active engagement in the international community in support of international peace and security and the rule of law.  We follow and will continue to follow this policy approach - militarily neutral but fully engaged – because, as committed members of the United Nations, we subscribe fully to the principles set out in the UN Charter. 

The establishment of PESCO represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Under PESCO, Member States will come together in different groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations. It is important to note that participation in any PESCO project is on an “opt in” basis and is therefore entirely voluntary. 

It is also worth noting that three other neutral EU Member States - Finland, Sweden and Austria - have also joined PESCO.

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