Greens accused of lying to dupe people into voting No

The Green Party was today accused of lying to dupe people into voting No in the upcoming referedum on Nice.

Mr Tom Parlon: Through its common foreign and security policy the EU seeks to safeguard common values, to preserve peace and strengthen international security

Progressive Democrat minister, Mr Tom Parlon, said: "Through its common foreign and security policy the EU seeks to safeguard common values, to preserve peace and strengthen international security."

The establishment parties cannot be trusted on the question of Irish neutrality Mr John Gormley TD, Green Party

"For the Green Party to suggest otherwise is dishonest," Mr Parlon said.

"It is time to move on from alarmist talk of a European army and the ‘militarisation’ of the EU. The EU is not a defence alliance. Those countries who wish to enter a collective defence pact see their security guaranteed through NATO. We are not members of NATO and have no desire to be so," he said.

However the Green Party said today: "The establishment parties cannot be trusted on the question of Irish neutrality."

Dublin South East TD, Mr John Gormley said there was a lack of democracy in Ireland which was reflected in the fact that despite the overwhelming majority of Irish people opposing a war in Iraq, the Government was allowing American forces to use Shannon Airport.

"The same Government that failed to provide a referendum on NATO’s Partnership for Peace is now providing misinformation on the nature of the Government's constitutional amendment. This does not protect Irish neutrality, " he said.

"As we have said repeatedly, if this amendment is passed it still means an Irish government can join NATO in the morning," he added.