TD hits out at new defence force legislastion

Proposed new defence legislation infringes upon Ireland’s neutrality and weakens the United Nations’ ability to effectively respond to iternational troubles, Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris said today.

The Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill will allow Ireland to join other European nations in ending troops as rapid response units to areas of conflict ahead of larger forces.

“In particular, we are opposed to the integration of the defence forces into the EU battle groups, the elimination of the triple-lock safeguard and the underhand manner by which the Bill is to be passed at midnight following less than two and a half hours debate by the Dáil,” Mr Ferris, who was addressing a meeting of the Peace And Neutrality Alliance (PANA) on the legislation, said.

“Not only does the proposed legislation imply a gross infringement of the principle of Irish neutrality, but in addition they will weaken the United Nations’ ability and capacity to respond to international crises effectively, since European troops will be diverted to these battle groups and other non-UN forces.”

The Green Party has been severely critical of the Bill, accusing the Government of rushing the bill through the Dáil in order to deliberately prevent debate on such a contentious issue.

The Labour Party, meanwhile, has also expressed concern about the manner in which the legislation is being introduced given the effect it could have on Ireland's policy of neutrality.

The Bill was passed by the Seanad last week and will be brought to the Dáil ahead of the summer recess.

The legislation would allow Irish troops to go off with the battlegroups prior to UN approval and without Dáil approval for certain operations.