A compromise proposal put forward by Italy on the draft EU constitution in relation to defence policy has eased some of Ireland's fears, the Minister of State for European Affairs has said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has been examining the new draft put forward by the Italians to see if it will exempt Ireland from a mutual defence obligation.
Ireland, Finland, Sweden and Austria had objected to a clause in the first draft of the constitution which would bind member states to help each other in the event of an armed aggression.
Negotiations on the constitution are under way in Brussels and are due to be completed this week. However, there are still many issues to be ironed out, including the controversial question of abolishing the veto on tax matters.
The Minister, Mr Dick Roche, said today that the compromise put forward by Italy had eased some fears.
"The new text is an attempt to bridge both views and I think it does that. There is still some language that needs attending to but the position has moved dramatically in our favour," he said.
Mr Roche said there was no way Ireland could sign up to an automatic mutual defence clause requiring it to come to the aid of its neighbours in the event of an attack.
"Ireland is non-aligned and for as long as that is the view of the Irish people, we will stay that way," he added. "That's not to say we are not willing to carry our burden when it comes to the issue of furthering peace. We have played a disproportionate role there."
The Government is hoping the negotiations will conclude this week, otherwise it will be forced to re-open them early in the New Year, when Ireland takes over the EU presidency from Italy.
Mr Roche was optimistic a deal would be reached. "I think the chances are better than 50-50. There's a very strong degree of exhaustion with a process that has been going on for two years," he said.
Delay would only distract from Ireland's ambition to put job-creation at the top of the agenda during its presidency.
"It would pose difficulties because we have at this stage virtually completed our presidency programme, although we have been hedging our bets as to whether the Italians will carry it off," the minister said.
In another boost to the Italian proposal on the wording of the constitution, Finland, which has always refused to participate in military alliances, indicated today it will support the plan.
Additional reporting: