Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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144. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position of Ireland in relation to calls by a number of European Union member states for increased defence cooperation and a common defence strategy; the way Ireland has responded to these proposals following the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14742/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s policy of military neutrality has long been an important strand of our independent foreign policy. The policy means Ireland does not participate in military alliances or mutual defence arrangements.

However, while militarily neutral, we have always been politically active and we have continued to participate constructively at EU level in the development of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), guided by our policy of military neutrality and our contribution to crisis management and peacekeeping.

Against this backdrop, Ireland has been a very active participant in both civilian and military CSDP missions and operations. At present, 28 members of the Defence Forces are serving in three UN-mandated EU military missions and operations, while 19 civilian experts are currently serving in EU CSDP civilian missions.

Over recent months, EU Member States have also been discussing the Strategic Compass, an exercise intended to provide enhanced political and strategic direction for the EU’s CSDP for the decade ahead. I joined my fellow EU foreign and defence ministers in agreeing this strategy document at our meeting in Brussels on 21 March.

The document sets out the current European security environment in clear terms, including Russia’s appalling military aggression against Ukraine. In addition to this analysis, the Strategic Compass also proposes a series of actions for the EU to take in areas such as crisis management, resilience, capability development and partnerships.

From the Government’s perspective, the document displays an important unity of purpose not only in terms of the EU’s response to threats, but also as regards the projection of the EU’s values and support for the rules-based international order.

It is important to note that within the EU, security and defence policy clearly remains a national competence. The Strategic Compass, and Ireland’s continued active participation in the EU’s CSDP, will therefore in no way prejudice the security and defence policy of Ireland or any other Member State.