O'Dea hits back at Greens' troops claim

The Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea today insisted claims by the Green Party that the lives of Irish troops would be put at risk by new rules on battlegroups were outrageous and unfounded.

The Greens warned legislation on the role of the Defence Forces would have a profound effect on peacekeeping duties allowing soldiers to be sent abroad, possibly to war, without the full approval of the state and UN.