Tension within EEC: Neutrality and participation in European defence was an issue 30 years ago. Deaglán de Bréadún reports
A confidential document on Irish neutrality was prepared by the Army Intelligence section for the Chief of Staff in October 1973, the year of Ireland's EEC accession, under the heading, "Military Implications of Ireland's Entry into EEC".
Released now for public inspection at the National Archives in Dublin, it shows considerable prescience in regard to Ireland's role as a transit point for troops and supplies, highlighted recently in relation to Iraq. The existence of the document shows that, even at such an early stage, the issue of a common European defence was exercising the minds of senior Defence Forces personnel. The memorandum, which is marked "Restricted", forecasts that the EEC (forerunner of the European Union), which had nine member-states at the time, would probably evolve into one of the world's most powerful trading and economic blocs.
"Jealousy of the EEC's progress from less successful rivals, inevitable competition for markets and the natural desire to protect its own interests must, in the long run, force the Nine to consider some form of mutual defensive measures."
Foreshadowing the Irish role in relation to the Iraqi conflict, the document states: "A suitable base where supplies and troops could be landed in bulk and despatched in smaller parcels to their various fronts would be of immense value to Western Europe and her transatlantic allies. Ireland is an obvious choice for such a base."
Anticipating current debate on European defence issues, the document poses the question: "As a full member of the EEC community, sharing in all the economic and political advantages of membership, is it not likely that the Irish Government will be subjected to increasing pressures to cooperate in any mutual defence arrangements considered necessary by her EEC fellow-members?" The document continues: "No country can realistically hope to participate in all the other activities and benefits of the Community and withhold her contribution in this one field. There are military implications to membership of the EEC."
Pressure would undoubtedly develop for abandonment of neutrality in favour of moves towards mutual defence and this would have implications for the situation in Northern Ireland.
"As internal harmony would be a prerequisite for such moves, strong pressures must be expected on both Ireland and the UK for the settlement of outstanding problems between the two States."
Evolution towards some form of common European defence, although inevitable, was likely to be slow: "Ireland as a member of EEC will eventually be faced with the problem of whether or not to abandon her neutral stand. When this juncture is reached, the indications are that external and internal economic pressures for the abandonment of this neutrality will be difficult to withstand."