THE Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring, has given a clear warning that Ireland will veto any EU treaty proposals to commit the Union to a merger with the Western European Union.
Mr Spring was speaking yesterday on the fringes of the Rome foreign ministers' meeting on the Inter-governmental Conference (IGC), called to mark the 40th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.
The meeting, a wide-ranging but brief discussion of the negotiations and of a new Dutch elaboration of the Irish proposed treaty text, did not see any dramatic advance in the talks.
Diplomatic sources say the Dutch are proposing two more conclaves of foreign ministers on the IGC, in April and May, followed by an early June summit before meeting in Amsterdam in the middle of the month.
The Italian representative on the IGC, Mr Silvio Faggiola, spoke of "conceptual breakthroughs" or new understandings of how disagreements can be overcome, reflecting a general optimism that an overall deal can done by Amsterdam. But some delegates, the Irish included, expressed concern that the Dutch proposals go well beyond what they believe is likely to be acceptable.
A downbeat note was struck by the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Malcolm Rilkind who, in election mode, warned his fellow ministers against unravelling the careful balance of decision-making agreed at Maastricht.
He joined Ireland in strongly opposing Franco-German proposals tabled yesterday for a three-phased integration of the WEU into the Union. These would mean a fundamental change in the character of the Union to an organisation involved in collective security, he said, and warned that the involvement of neutrals in decision-making about the use of NATO military assets would not be acceptable to the US or NATO.
Diplomatic sources in NATO yesterday confirmed a deep unease in the organisation about the proposals.
Mr Spring said Ireland had for some time made its position clear and that "at the end of the day it has to be agreed by unanimity".
But diplomatic sources believe the work of the neutral countries in opposing the package is likely to be done by the British, whose Labour opposition has made clear it is against a merger.
Mr Spring also expressed concern at what Dublin sees as an inconsistent and confused attempt by the Dutch Presidency on the problem of incorporating the Schengen Treaty's provisions into the European Union Treaty. These provide for passport-free travel and pose problems for Ireland because of Britain's insistence on preserving its border controls and the existence of a common travel area.
Mr Spring submitted a new Irish proposal to the IGC suggesting an approach which would maintain Irish and British involvement in the measures (such as police and customs co-operation) but with both opting out through "constructive abstention" from the passport-free travel requirements.
Although a clear consensus appeared to be emerging on another area of Irish concern - that each member-state should be entitled to at least one commissioner - the French yesterday put the cat among the Roman pigeons. Their Foreign Minister, Mr Herve de Charette, said this was opposed by France. It could not accept the loss of its second commissioner if Luxembourg kept its one.
The French want the Commission reduced to 10 or 12 and say that if that happened they would accept they might have no commissioner. No one, however, believes them.
It has also become clear that Dutch proposals to extend qualified majority voting (QMV) in foreign and security policy are likely to meet stiff opposition.
The Dutch Presidency suggests that heads of government should agree broad outlines of policy by unanimity, while its implementation would be carried out by foreign ministers by QMV. Ireland and Britain believe the formula seriously undermines national vetos in a sensitive area.
