A claim by Green Party TD Mr John Gormley that the proposed EU Constitutional Treaty would mean a rise in Irish defence spending was sharply disputed at the National Forum on Europe yesterday. Deaglán de Bréadún, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, reports.
At a forum session in Dublin Castle on "Why an EU Constitution and Why Now?" Mr Gormley said he welcomed some aspects of the document but had "major concerns" about its defence implications.
"We have the lowest defence spending in the EU," he said. But he claimed that, if the constitution was ratified by member-states: "We will have to increase our defence spending to bring it up to the European average."
Some of the defence provisions were "additional" to what had been in previous treaties. He expressed concern that "structured co-operation" in military matters and the "solidarity clause" in the event of another member-state coming under terrorist attack would have implications for Irish neutrality.
Mr Gormley was taken to task by Senator Martin Mansergh (FF), who said there was "not the slightest evidence that we will be committed to raise defence spending". Challenging Mr Gormley to produce "the slightest" evidence to back up his assertion, he added: "Most European countries are cutting their defence spending."
Mr Tony Brown (Lab), said it was a "myth" that the Constitutional Treaty set out overall defence policies and postures for the EU. "Structured co-operation is an opt-in arrangement." The defence element in the document was "clearly defined and limited in its scope".
Mr Gormley said the military obligations in the treaty could not be implemented without spending more money. "We are bottom of the league, there is no way that our European colleagues will wear it any longer," he said. He asked if Labour had changed its policy on the "triple-lock" mechanism guaranteeing Irish neutrality.
The Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr Noel Treacy said there was "absolutely nothing to fear" from the European Constitution. "Unfortunately," he added, "familiar voices are already trying to suggest that what is involved is a radical and sinister reversal of course."
In a keynote address, Dr Kirsty Hughes, an independent policy consultant, said the constitution was meant to last 50 years but she predicted a revision in 10.
The treaty confirmed the EU as a "unique hybrid federal intergovernmental body". It made the EU more accessible by putting four treaties into one document but she added, "It's not very readable."
The mutual defence clause had been "watered down to be virtually non-existent". Having a President of the Commission, a President of the Council and a new foreign minister created "huge scope for personal fighting and institutional turf-fighting." Dr Hughes said. The forum resumes on December 9th.