The Minister for Foreign Affairs has said Ireland is not seeking a Danish-style opt out from the European Security and Defence Policy.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting of Foreign Minsters in Brussels on Monday, Micheál Martin said an opt-out on the entire ESDP area was never considered by the Government.
The minister said 'we’re preparing texts regarding neutrality and defence as they surfaced in our referendum – we have had discussions with the (Council) legal services and the (Czech) Presidency and we don’t see any major roadblocks in regard to those texts from other countries'.
Asked if there would be opt-outs from any parts of the European Security and Defence Policy, the minister replied 'what opt-outs?'
There has been speculation that one option the Government might pursue would be to leave the European Defence Agency, which tries to co-ordinate military research and development programmes in Europe, and seeks closer co-ordination among states on military procurement programmes.
Last week the campaign group Peace and Neutrality Alliance called for Ireland to seek a complete opt-out from the European Security and Defence Policy, like that sought by Denmark from the Maastrict Treaty.
If Ireland had such an opt-out, PANA says it would call for a Yes vote, but would campaign for a No vote without one.
Denmark is not a neutral state, it is a founder member of NATO, and sought an opt-out as it feared ESDP could weaken its links to NATO and the US. The current Danish government would like to hold a referendum to end this opt-out, as it believes it has lost influence in Brussels as a result of not being involved in ESDP.
On the timing of the next referendum, Mr Martin reitreated the Government's commitment last December – that it would hold a second referendum before the formation of the next Euroepan commission (i.e. before 1 November 2009), subject to securing legally binding guarantees on neutrality, taxation and social/ethical issues.
He also said he had been working since last June with Fine Gael and Labour on the issue, and those parties had made clear their opposition then to holding another referendum before the European and Local elections in June.
The minister also said he was looking at implementing some of the recommendations by the Oireachtas sub-committee on Europe in its report on the Lisbon Treaty Referendum aftermath.
He ssaid he particularly supported the call for ministers to consult with the Committee before they go to Brussels for meetings where laws are to be made, so that TDs and Senators would have an input beforehand.
He said there would have to be a substantial package of measures relating to Oireachtas reform.
He also said it would take time to put a referendum commission in place.
