The Green Party was today accused of lying to dupe people into voting No in the upcoming referedum on Nice.
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Mr Tom Parlon: Through its common foreign and security policy the EU seeks to safeguard common values, to preserve peace and strengthen international security
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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."
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"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.
