116 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the recent French and British proposal for a 40,000 strong rapid reaction capability for the EU. [24379/99]

117 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details of the EU Defence and Foreign Ministers' agreement on 17 November 1999 to support the establishment of structures under which non-EU member states could participate fully in EU led operations. [24380/99]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 and 117 together.