130 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the formal mechanism which protects Ireland's neutral status in the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14683/97]

Ireland's policy of military neutrality is acknowledged and recognised by our EU partners, and is addressed in the Treaty on European Union, Article J.4.4. which states that the common and security policy of the Union "shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain member States." This provision is also contained in the new Treaty of Amsterdam, in Article J.7.1.