The EU is a peace project, not a war machine, the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Mr Tom Parlon, said today.
"This is one of the reasons why the countries of Eastern Europe who suffered under communism and totalitarianism rule want to join the EU," he said.
He was speaking at a Progressive Democrats' press conference on the Nice Treaty in Dublin today. The focus of the conference was on the issue of Irish neutrality.
"Not one Irish soldier can or will be sent on service outside our borders without the sole decision of our Dáil," Mr Parlon said. "We are not joining NATO. The will be no conscription to any EU army. We are not moving away from the United Nations".
"We retain total sovereignty over our defence forces. No power is being given to the European Union over our defence forces," he added.
Comparing Europe to the US he said: "In the US, California or New York have no armies. The US armed forces are under the authority of the US President. The opposite is the case for Ireland and the European Union."
Mr Parlon rubbished what he called No campaigners claims that the Rapid Reaction Force is "an aggressive war-mongering army".
"Behind this accusation is a shocking lack of appreciation of one of the very purposes and achievements of the European Union: the creation of a zone of peace, democracy and stability throughout Europe," he said.
