Cowen stands firm on neutrality clause

IN a surprise move, a number of countries refused to accept a clause acknowledging Ireland’s neutrality in the new EU Constitution in Brussels.

But a mutual defence clause saying EU member countries would automatically come to one another's aid would not be in keeping with our traditional non-aligned status said Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen said.

However, Irish Commissioner David Byrne appeared to question Ireland's neutral code when he accused the country of sitting on its hands and being squeamish about assuming collective defence roles.