The Defence Forces have removed from their Website a statement from the Chief-of-Staff welcoming "the Dail decision to join Partnership for Peace", as the Dail is not due to vote on the matter for another week.
However, publication of the statement has added to controversy over recent comments by senior officers in favour of PfP.
The statement, although not approved by him, reflected the views expressed by the Chief-of-Staff, Lieut. Gen. David Stapleton, in recent months.
The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, said last week he shared concern that senior officers should not make any comments on matters of a political nature, or on matters for decision or discussion by the Government or the Oireachtas.
He said current regulations in this area were now being reviewed, and guidelines might now be needed.
However, a few days before the Minister made his comments, the statement purporting to come from the Chief-of-Staff was posted on the Defence Forces' Website welcoming "the Dail decision to join Partnership for Peace".
The statement was dated October 14th, the day the Dail was initially expected to vote to participate in PfP. The Dail vote was postponed and will not take place until next week.
A Defence Forces spokesman said yesterday the statement was a draft prepared by the Defence Forces press office for the approval of the Chief-of-Staff. It had not been presented to him for approval when it was erroneously posted on the Website. It had been removed as soon as the error was noticed.
Lieut. Gen. Stapleton has commented favourably on PfP in the past, as have representatives of the Defence Forces' personnel representative body, PDFORRA.
Earlier this year Lieut. Cdr Hugh Tully of the Naval Service argued in favour of Irish participation in a particular PfP naval exercise in an article in the Defence Forces publication, the Cosantoir annual review.
In response to a Dail question last week from Labour's foreign affairs spokesman, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, Mr Smith said while he disagreed with Mr De Rossa's view of PfP, "I share his underlying concern that members of the Defence Forces should not make any comment whatsoever on matters of a political nature, or on matters which are for decision by Government or which will come before either House of the Oireachtas for discussion or decision."
Mr De Rossa said last night that whether senior officers were in favour of or against joining PfP, they should not comment.
"Suppose the Dail rejects PfP. Where would that place the senior officers who have come out on this issue? It is important to draw attention to this before the practice grows."
The Defence Forces' Website is at www.military.ie