Mitchell calls for EU defence debate

Fine Gael Foreign Affairs spokesman Gay Mitchell has called for immediate debate in Ireland on a common European defence policy.

"We can no longer avoid a debate on this issue in Ireland. We need to hear the arguments for and against joining a European common defence," said Deputy Mitchell.

Speaking at a committee meeting in Waterford City Hall, Deputy Mitchell said: "In a document circulated to members of the Convention on the Future of Europe, which meets in Brussels under the Presidency of Valery Giscard D'Estaing, a common defence for Europe is proposed for the first time.

"I believe it is time to end Ireland's pretend neutrality and to do so in the context of a European entity. We should not only be part of the European security architecture, we should be one of the architects."

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