PROPOSED LEGISLATION requiring Dáil approval for Irish participation in European Defence Agency (EDA) operations will be debated soon after October 2nd, subject to a Yes vote in the Lisbon Treaty referendum.
Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea insisted the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2009, due to be published today, would have no implications for the State’s policy of neutrality.
“It introduces a triple-lock mechanism in relation to any decisions regarding Ireland’s participation in these initiatives, similar to the triple lock we have for the deployment of Defence Forces personnel on peacekeeping operations overseas,” he said.
If the treaty is approved, the Bill will be introduced in the Dáil as soon as possible afterwards. The Bill sets out the legal arrangements under which the Government and Dáil must give prior approval for any Irish involvement in EDA projects and programmes.
It says Government must be satisfied that Irish participation would enhance the capabilities of UN mandated missions in peacekeeping, conflict prevention or strengthening of international security.
The agency was established in July 2004 with the intention of improving European defence capabilities “in the field of crisis management”.
The Bill imposes similar restrictions on Irish participation in “permanent structured co-operation”.
This allows a group of EU member states to come together to develop high-end military capabilities for use in more demanding missions. It also aims to facilitate a greater level of co-operation in areas such as training, equipment and logistics. Mr O’Dea said the arrangements were not a precursor to the militarisation of the EU.
“As is the case in relation to all defence issues within the European Union, any decision by Ireland to participate in the projects of the EDA or in permanent structured co-operation remains fully and completely within Ireland’s hands,” he said.
He denied that the EDA was a precursor to militarisation of the EU but recognition by member states that they must ensure their troops have the capabilities when serving on European Security and Defence Policy operations.
The Cabinet is understood to have sanctioned the publication of the Bill on Tuesday, during the first of its two meetings this week.
Priority drafting of the Bill had already been approved, so it could be published as soon as possible in advance of the referendum.
It was hoped the proposed legislation would be enacted before the referendum. However, it is understood that a combination of negotiations between the Government partners and a backlog of legislation caused a delay.
The Green Party was initially opposed to EDA membership but agreed with Fianna Fáil that Ireland could remain a member but under specific conditions. This prompted criticism from former party member and ex-MEP for Dublin Patricia McKenna.
However, the Greens’ leader John Gormley yesterday said the Government had secured “cast-iron guarantees” in relation to issues that concerned voters during last year’s referendum campaign.
