Fine Gael has reiterated its demand that the Government move to remove the "triple lock" that governs the overseas deployment of Irish Defence Forces personnel.
Irish troops are only sent on foreign missions under this system, which requires a United Nations Security Council mandate, together with Government and Dáil approval.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Ahern, said in Brussels yesterday the Government would propose changing the law to allow Irish troops to participate in European Union battlegroups. However, he insisted the "triple lock" would remain.
The EU has agreed to establish 11 battlegroups by 2007, each 1,500 strong, which could be deployed within 15 days for crisis management operations for up to three months.
The Fine Gael foreign affairs spokesman, Mr Bernard Allen, today accused the Government of sending out "mixed messages" on Irish involvement in peace-keeping missions.
"The Government is totally at sea with regard to Ireland's involvement in EU battlegroups and our role on the international stage," he claimed.
"Ireland's defence legislation needs urgent reform. The 'triple lock' mechanism limits the State's ability to decide for itself how to react in certain situations, gives the power of veto over our Defence Forces to other States, and is clearly unacceptable. Any reform of defence legislation must involve the removal of the 'triple lock'."