MEPs from the Fine Gael and Labour coalition parties have clashed over Irish neutrality on the floor of the European Parliament.
The four Fine Gael MEPs voted for a resolution which says the Western European Union alliance "will be gradually merged into the EU" and that all the tasks of the WEU "shall be taken over and made binding on all EU member states". All EU members would help finance "military action" even if not taking part.
Ireland and other neutrals would not be bound by the WEU's Article V commitment to defend other members and "due regard" would also be made for the "sensitivity" of Ireland and the other neutrals.
The parliament was debating its position on the forthcoming Inter Governmental Conference (IGC) in which a common defence policy for the EU will be a major item.
After the Fine Gael MEP, Mr John Cushnahan, told the parliament he favoured the integration of the WEU into the EU, the Labour MEP, Ms Bernie Malone, responded that she wanted "to take issue with what Mr Cushnahan has just said as the whole idea of merging the WEU and the EU is against what the Irish people stand for right now".
The Fine Gael Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Gay Mitchell, attended part of the debate. Later he told The Irish Times that the Government "does not address the issue" of a merger between the WEU and the EU in its forthcoming White Paper but "it is one that we'll have to discuss as part of the IGC process".
Asked how the Fine Gael MEPs could vote for an eventual merger of the WEU and the EU if it is not yet Government policy, Mr Mitchell said: "Fine Gael MEPs when voting here do so as part of the European Peoples' Party but Fine Gael at home is in Government with two other parties, so we can't administer what we feel to be the case. We have to agree policy with the other parties".
The Minister said this policy would be published shortly in the White Paper. He would welcome debate "so that we understand the principles on which our neutrality is based and when and if neutrality will apply".
Fianna Fail strongly opposed the proposal for a merger with WEU as well as increased powers for the European Parliament. The two Irish Green MEPs also opposed the WEU proposal.
The wide ranging parliament resolution, covering unemployment, drugs, fraud and citizenship, as well as security and defence, was approved by 267 votes to 120 with 71 abstentions. It is not binding and will be sent to member governments.