Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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67. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the neutrality of Ireland will be guaranteed and respected in view of the fact that the final statement of the 15th Inter-Parliamentary Conference for CFSP and CSDP on 4 to 6 September 2019 stated that EU defence cooperation should be continued to be coordinated with NATO and should aim to create synergies for both the EU and NATO. [45077/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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EU-NATO cooperation is focused on promoting security and maintaining peace and stability and is developed with full respect for the decision-making autonomy and procedures of both organisations, as well as respecting the specific character of the security and defence policies of EU Member States. This includes those which are not members of NATO.

The EU’s cooperation with NATO is governed by the Lisbon Treaty, including the legally-binding Irish Protocol which expressly states that “The Treaty of Lisbon does not affect or prejudice Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality”. This ensures respect for Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.