Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan today called for the Government to bring forward a White Paper on neutrality.
Mr Noonan said that as a result of the events of September 11th it was time to revisit the issue of Irish neutrality.
"I believe that recent events are of such magnitude and will have such an influence on policy, that rather than drifting incrementally into a new position we should initiate the debate [on neutrality]," said Mr Noonan. "The best way to do that is to have a debate on input into a White Paper."
Mr Noonan was speaking at the launch of the Fine Gael consultation document on Europe. The document details a six-point plan of proposals on what Fine Gael sees as key issues regarding Ireland’s membership of the European Union.
The document contains proposals for the production of a White Paper on neutrality, and looks for an EU Declaration to affirm that nothing in the Nice Treaty will oblige Ireland to join a European army or introduce conscription.
The party is also calling for the Oireachtas Joint Committee on European Affairs to be given new powers to examine and report on all policy and legislative proposals made by the European Commission.
Fine Gael is also proposing that legislation be introduced to require all future Government nominees to European institutions be vetted and approved by the Joint Committee.
The document also proposes a system whereby European Commission members and representatives attend Seanad meetings to report on legislative proposals and policies at European level.
The attendance of Irish members of the European Parliament and Dail deputies who are members of the Joint Committee on European Affairs at Seanad debates and hearings on European matters is also proposed.
The party has called for the appointment of a Minister for State for European Affairs, attached to both the Department of the Toaiseach and to the Department of Foreign Affairs, with the power to attend cabinet meetings.
The proposals come in advance of the launch of the Government’s National Forum on Europe, to which Fine Gael will not be sending representatives.
Senator Maurice Hayes will chair the forum, the inaugural meeting of which will take place in Dublin Castle tomorrow.
The Forum is designed to facilitate discussion of issues relevant to Ireland’s membership of an enlarging Union.
Last month, Fine Gael announced that the party would not participate in the Forum, saying the party saw "little value in participating in what would essentially be a talking shop."
In a letter to the Taoiseach on September 5th, Mr Noonan said the party believed Irish democracy was "better served by public debate of the issues of the day, including EU matters, in the Houses of the Oireachtas."