Duncan Smith
Question:174. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence her views on calls from the Spanish Government about the need for an EU army; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38525/26]
View answerThursday, 21 May 2026
Questions (174)
Written answers
With regards for calls for an EU army, and as the Deputy may be aware, any decision to deepen EU defence cooperation requires unanimity. Furthermore, the Irish Protocols to the Lisbon Treaty specifically state that the Lisbon Treaty does not provide for the creation of a European army.
Ireland maintains a policy of military neutrality which is characterised by non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements. Our EU partners have always fully respected Ireland’s sovereignty, independence and neutrality, and it is worth adding that Ireland's participation in EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) does not prejudice national policy in that regard. The legal guarantees given by the European Council in June 2009 confirmed that the EU’s security and defence policy does not affect or prejudice Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality.
Given that decision-making power in relation to any proposed actions in the Defence sphere remain a national competence, it remains a matter for Ireland to decide our own way forward.