New law puts Irish troops at risk, warn Greens
The lives of Irish troops will be put at risk by legislation the Government wants to force through next week, it was claimed today.
The Green Party said the Defence (Amendment) Act, which could be passed next Wednesday, will have profound effects on the State’s peace-keeping forces.
Attacking the Government for rushing the Bill through the Dáil before the summer recess, party leader Trevor Sergeant said it will allow Irish troops to be sent abroad, possibly to war, without the full approval of the State and UN.
“It is very obvious that all stages of this Bill are being pushed through so as not to allow proper time for debate,” he said, accusing the Coalition of trying to pass the bill with as little noise as possible.
“It is unacceptable and undemocratic to radically change our peaceful and neutral position in such a manner. Ireland is a small country with a small military and an immense, highly respected and proud reputation as UN peacekeepers.”
The Government insists the Defence Amendment Bill will provide for Defence Forces personnel travelling abroad to train and participate in field exercises.
The Green Party maintain sections of the act are farcical and dangerous, allowing Irish troops to go off with the Battlegroups prior to UN approval – to be rapidly ’assembled’ or ’embarked’, but not ’deployed’ – and without Dáil approval for certain operations.
“Contingents of troops involved in such areas as training, military reconnaissance or humanitarian tasks should not be able to be dispatched at the whim of a Government,” added John Gormley, defence spokesperson for the Green Party.
“Triple locks take time to open and Rapid Reaction Forces don’t have time. The EU Battlegroups that this Government and Fine Gael and Labour – are so eager to join, need rapid decision making and waiting for UN mandates are a ’luxury’ that only Ireland requires; so enters this Defence Amendment Bill.”
Defence minister Willie O’Dea previously said amending the legislation arises irrespective of Ireland’s participation in the Rapid Response/Battlegroup concept and insisted participation in peace support operations will continue to require UN authorisation.
He said the basis for participation in missions undertaken by the EU is grounded in the legitimacy conveyed by the UN Security Council.
