Objections to defence discussions at EPC
Barry asks whether the Danish Minister alleged that Ireland allowed defence discussions at an EPC meeting and whether Lenihan would stop them. Lenihan disputes the attribution and says ministers object at formal meetings, though informal discussions are difficult to prevent; he agrees it is his duty to object.
In response to the Minister's reply to Question No. 41, was the allegation made on the "Today Tonight" programme incorrect, that the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark said that for the first time an Irish Minister had allowed a discussion on defence matters to take place in EPC?
Comment on this
In fact, the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs does not agree that that is specifically what he said. However, that is another day's work. I am not here to defend the Danish Minister for Foreign Affairs. As the Deputy is well aware, in any formal meetings on European Political Co-operation defence and military matters are not raised. If the debate on European Political Co-operation tends to move into that area, the Irish Foreign Minister, or indeed often the Danish Foreign Minister, raises an objection to it. This does not at all prevent — at informal meetings which the former Minister will have attended also — informal conversations taking place between the Ministers of countries, members of NATO or the Western European Union, concerning their own matters. That takes place side-by-side, in an informal way. We are not involved in those discussions. I hope that puts it clearly, that at formal meetings these do not arise but in informal discussions between countries members of NATO or the WEU they can arise within an informal framework or setting.
Comment on this
Does the Minister accept I appreciate that at informal gatherings of members any discussions can take place but the allegation was that at an EPC meeting the Irish Minister remained quiet while matters of defence were being discussed? Whether or not that is so, would the Minister not consider it his duty to stop any discussion like that taking place at EPC meetings?
Comment on this
——it is my duty to do so, as suggested but it is very difficult to prevent it happening in an informal way. As the Deputy will appreciate, one cannot stand up at the beginning of one's soup course and come back at the end of that course.