asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the moves and apparent initiatives emerging from the EC Commission and/or EC member countries for the setting up of a European army in the next ten years; and the Government's views on the matter.

I am aware of a references to the possibility of an eventual European army having been made in connection with recent decisions on closer Franco-German co-operation in defence matters. Such co-operation does not affect us. Defence issues are outside the scope of the political co-operation to which we and our European partners are committed. In the Declaration made on ratification of the Single European Act the Government reaffirmed Ireland's policy of military neutrality.

Is it not a fact that while France and Germany are teasing out the prospects of a European army outside of NATO, in some years time that European army will emerge within the EC? Is that not a natural development in the longer term?

All I can give the Deputy and the House is the factual position which is that France and the Federal Republic of Germany have established a joint security and defence council. They are in the process of setting up an experimental joint brigade based in Germany. That is strictly a bilateral matter between France and Germany and it is not a Community matter in any shape or form.

What is the Community's attitude to such a development and what is the Irish attitude to such a development?

Neither Ireland nor the Community has any intention of interfering with bilateral arrangements between two member countries of the Community. If France and Germany wish to establish their own arrangements, provided they do not run contrary to Community law or regulations, they are entitled to make their arrangements.

Question No. 46 has been disposed of with No. 9.