The Minister for Foreign Affairs has been criticised for implying that there will be no referendum on planned new EU defence initiatives due to be agreed by the end of the year.
Mr Cowen said yesterday that Ireland was ready to play its full part in EU defence policy and that this peacekeeping might involve direct intervention to separate warring sides. "Ireland has no difficulty with that," he said.
The Minister, in an interview with the Irish Examiner, said he would not be put off by supporters of "isolationism masquerading as advocates of neutrality". He believed it was unlikely a referendum would be needed on new EU treaty changes currently being negotiated.
Green Party TD Mr John Gormley claimed yesterday that Mr Cowen's comments proved that the Government and the established parties deceived the electorate during the Amsterdam Treaty. He said the people were unequivocally told that the treaty would not lead to a common defence. They were also told a referendum would be required before an EU Defence Union of any sort could be framed. "Now we are being told by Mr Cowen that there is no requirement for a referendum and that the Government is pressing ahead with a common defence." Mr Gormley said the people were misled on Partnership For Peace when the Government broke its promise to hold a referendum and "now this untrustworthy Government has broken promises given during the Amsterdam Treaty".
The pro-neutrality group, Action From Ireland, (AFrI), yesterday rejected the notion that those who expressed concern at proposed changes in defence and security policy were isolationists.
"Our position is based on the belief that the changes being contemplated by Europe and Ireland in the area of defence are likely to achieve the very opposite to global security," spokesman Mr Joe Murray said. "AFrI is appalled at the Minister's suggestion that this major change, which would result in a level of militarisation previously unknown in Ireland, would not be put to the people in a referendum."
Green Party MEP Ms Patricia McKenna said Mr Cowen's assumption that the public wanted to go forward with being actively involved alongside nuclear-armed nations was totally fallacious.
"Mr Cowen is supporting and promoting the militarisation of Europe and the creation of another military superpower. I believe that the majority of Irish people would have serious reservations about this and if put to referendum the Government would lose."