Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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107. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on Ireland joining a future European defence force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34167/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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To date, no formal proposal has been made in relation to the establishment of a European defence force. I should emphasise that defence and security remain a national competence and any decision to deepen EU defence cooperation requires unanimity. There is no provision in EU treaties for the creation of an EU army and no proposal has been set out to change this. Therefore, any such proposal would require treaty change and no such change has been proposed.

Moreover, during the course of the evolution of the EU’s CSDP, our EU partners have always fully respected Ireland’s sovereignty, independence and neutrality. The legal guarantees given by the European Council in June 2009 confirmed that the EU’s security and defence policy does not affect or prejudice Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality. 

The recently approved Strategic Compass sets out an analysis of the strategic environment and, in particular, the security and defence challenges faced by the EU, including emerging threats, the increasingly contested multi-polar world and the strategic implications for the EU.

Recently, an overview and proposed timelines of the implementation of the Strategic Compass was shared with Member States. While discussions continue on the actions and associated proposed timelines, it should be noted that the decision-making power in relation to the individual actions proposed in the Compass, remains a national competence. Nothing in the Compass prejudices the specific character of the security and defence policy of any Member State and this must remain the case through the implementation phase.