Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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130. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which he can ensure and guarantee neutrality in view of recent signals from the EU that security and military union is the preferred next stage of European integration. [48436/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is characterised by our non-participation in any military alliance. Our position as a member of the European Union in no way undermines or threatens this policy, a policy to which this Government remains fully committed. This commitment is recognised by our European partners in the legally-binding Protocols attaching to the Lisbon Treaty, which state that “The Treaty of Lisbon does not affect or prejudice Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.”

The Constitution provides a further safeguard on this issue where Article 29(4)(9) states “ The State shall not adopt a decision taken by the European Council to establish a common defence pursuant to Article 42 of the Treaty on European Union where that common defence would include the State." This Constitutional safeguard was inserted in 2002 at the time of the Nice Referendum and was reconfirmed in 2009 following the Lisbon Treaty Referendum.

Ireland's military neutrality is a core element of Ireland's foreign policy, as stated in our 2015 Foreign Policy Review “The Global Island” and reconfirmed in the White Paper on Defence. It brings with it a deep commitment to international peace and security which we work to achieve through our efforts in peacekeeping, conflict-prevention and support for human rights - in many cases alongside our European partners. While others may express different aspirations, this will continue to be our position when it comes to future enhanced cooperation through the EU’s Global Strategy and its Common Security and Defence Policy.