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Junior Member
 
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 11/11/2009 17:33:56
Posts: 10,
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Quick question - what impact does the Lisbon Treaty have on Irish neutrality?
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Forum Member
Group: Moderators
Last Login: 07/12/2009 17:05:48
Posts: 44,
Visits: 165
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The Treaty of Lisbon does not affect Irish military neutrality. As always, the decision for Ireland to use its military is the decision of Ireland, and Ireland alone.
For Ireland's military to be used there is the triple lock system, whereby before Ireland's military can be used it must agreed by our Government, voted upon in the Dáil, and the military action in question must have a UN mandate.
The EU, or the Lisbon Treaty has absolutely no influence or say in the matter.
The issue of Ireland's neutrality was reassured recently by means of a legal guarantee which re-affirms Irish neutrality in the wake of confusion surrounding the issue.
Text of legal guarantee.
"The Union's action on the international scene is guided by the principles of democracy, the rule of law, the universality and indivisibility of human rights and fundamental freedoms, respect for human dignity, the principles of equality and solidarity, and respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law.
The Union's common security and defence policy is an integral part of the common foreign and security policy and provides the Union with an operational capacity to undertake missions outside the Union for peace-keeping, conflict prevention and strengthening international security in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.
It does not prejudice the security and defence policy of each Member State, including Ireland, or the obligations of any Member State.
The Treaty of Lisbon does not affect or prejudice Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality.
It will be for Member States - including Ireland, acting in a spirit of solidarity and without prejudice to its traditional policy of military neutrality - to determine the nature of aid or assistance to be provided to a Member State which is the object of a terrorist attack or the victim of armed aggression on its territory.
Any decision to move to a common defence will require a unanimous decision of the European Council. It would be a matter for the Member States, including Ireland, to decide, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon and with their respective constitutional requirements, whether or not to adopt a common defence.
Nothing in this Section affects or prejudices the position or policy of any other Member State on security and defence.
It is also a matter for each Member State to decide, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon and any domestic legal requirements, whether to participate in permanent structured cooperation or the European Defence Agency.
The Treaty of Lisbon does not provide for the creation of a European army or for conscription to any military formation.
It does not affect the right of Ireland or any other Member State to determine the nature and volume of its defence and security expenditure and the nature of its defence capabilities.
It will be a matter for Ireland or any other Member State, to decide, in accordance with any domestic legal requirements, whether or not to participate in any military operation. "
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www.talktoeu.ie
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