Cowen says Yes vote will safeguard neutrality

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, says that a 'Yes’ vote in the Nice referendum will give the strongest protection ever to our neutrality.

He is adamant that Irish troops can only serve abroad on peacekeeping duties, with the support of the Dáil and under UN mandate.

He insists that the revised Treaty will ensure that it is the Irish people alone who decide on the future of our neutrality.