Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity)
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138. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 20 January 2022, his views on whether support for deeper EU-NATO cooperation including in regions outside the European Union is in conflict with a policy of military non-alignment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3919/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is characterised by non-membership of military alliances. Rather than interpreting neutrality as meaning that Ireland should stand aside, successive Irish governments have considered that neutrality enhances our reputation internationally and enables us to engage more effectively in our efforts to promote peace and development through the UN, the European Union and our own bilateral actions.

As I stated previously in respect of any deepening European Union and NATO links, it is my view that, as an active participant in NATO Partnership for Peace, Ireland should continue to welcome greater EU-NATO co-operation where it contributes to international peace and security and is focused 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 international defence and security agenda is a busy and evolving one, with the threats and challenges we collectively face growing in recent years. In the context of addressing and indeed tackling these challenges, Ireland is a committed multilateralist and greatly values the contribution that we can, and do make, through our membership of the European Union and the United Nations.