Opposition hits out at bill that ‘threatens Irish neutrality’

THE bill that will allow Irish troops become involved in European Union Rapid Reaction Forces was set to be passed in the Dáil last night in the face of angry protests that it was being rushed through with undue haste.

The Defence (Amendment) Bill provides for deployment of the Defence Forces abroad under the mandate of the EU. Until now Irish troops could only serve abroad on missions which had a United Nations mandate.