Government considers ending EU peacekeeping role

THE Government is considering pulling the defence forces out of EU peacekeeping duties in a bid to win acceptance of the Lisbon treaty and end any concerns about conscription.

Foreign Minister Micheál Martin indicated this was one option under consideration in response to findings that a significant number of Irish voters rejected the treaty because they feared conscription to a European army.

The EU does not have an army but member states co-operate in peacekeeping duties as part of the union’s defence policy.