Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea today insisted claims by the Green Party that the lives of Irish troops would be put at risk by proposed new defence legislation were outrageous and unfounded.
The Greens warned legislation on the role of the Defence Forces would have a profound effect on peacekeeping duties allowing soldiers to be sent abroad, possibly to war, without the full approval of the State and the UN.
But Mr O'Dea dismissed the claims as a publicity stunt.
"I think today is a step too far. I think the suggestion lives are being deliberately put at risk by the Government is quite frankly outrageous," Mr O'Dea said.
The Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Seanad today and will be brought to the Dail ahead of the summer recess.
It will allow Ireland to join other European nations in sending troops as rapid response units to areas of conflict ahead of much larger forces. Mr O'Dea said it could only happen at the request of the United Nations.
But Green Party defence spokesman John Gormley said the wording of the Bill "is open to abuse".
"In Section Three it is clear that not even Dáil approval is required for certain operations.
"Section 8 is both farcical and dangerous. It is designed to allow Irish troops to go off with the Battlegroups prior to UN approval - to be rapidly 'assembled' or 'embarked', but not 'deployed'.
"This is the Irish Government's half-baked solution to the inconvenience of UN mandates," Mr Gormley said.
His party leader Trevor Sargent said the Bill was being rushed through the Oireachtas because the Government "realise what a serious and controversial issue it is".
