Neutrality assurances 'worthless', say Greens

The Green Party has dismissed the Government's pledge that neutrality will not be affected by the Nice Treaty as "worthless".

Greens chairman Mr John Gormley, speaking at the unveiling of his party's Nice Neutrality Campaign, accused the Government of "progressively dismantling" Irish neutrality over many years and trying to deceive the electorate over the Seville Declaration.

This declaration, presented by the Government to the European Council in June, stated Ireland is not bound by any mutual EU defence commitment, "nor is Ireland party to any plans to develop a European army." It also said a referendum would be needed in Ireland to change this position.

The EC responded with a declaration stating Ireland, should the Nice Treaty be passed, will retain the right to decide on participating in any operation carried out under the European Security and Defence Policy.

However, Mr Gormley refuted the Government's assertion that the declaration would protect Irish neutrality. "The proposed amendment also provides a very convenient loophole, which enables the Government to join NATO without a referendum, a point that has been highlighted by John Bruton on the 'Yes' side," he argued.

Mr Gormley claimed the agenda in the EU is to create a military force to rival that of the United States. With Irish spending on defence at 0.75 per cent of GDP, Ireland has the lowest spending of the 15 member states. Mr Gormley argued this would have to rise to get in line with other EU states in the future.

"The question that Irish people should ask themselves is this: 'Do they want to spend more money on arms or would they prefer to have this money spent on health, education, transport and the environment?'" he said.

The Green MEP for Leinster, Ms Nuala Ahern, said: "It's quite clear that any EU Common Defence would have a nuclear weapons component, given the French and British nuclear deterrents.

"It would be completely unacceptable for this country to even contemplate entering such a nuclear defence arrangement".