Madam, - The Green Party say that it will not be a "deal-breaker" (Dec 5th) if the negative views of former MEP Patricia McKenna prevail on the Lisbon Treaty.
But surely it will raise serious doubts about their right to remain in Government?
Collective Cabinet responsibility means that the Greens are obliged to ensure that Irish troops have adequate training and equipment for the purpose of their missions to defend the country and to carry out peacekeeping functions as decided by the Oireachtas.
How can Green Party ministers stay in Government if a binding decision is made by two thirds of their party to say No to them fulfilling that duty?
Ms McKenna says she opposes the treaty because "it urges member states to progressively improve their military capabilities".
The operative word here is "urges" - it does not compel or oblige us to do so.
But even so, by what earthly logic can she oppose Ireland improving our military capabilities in order to carry out the specifically peace-focused activities envisaged in the treaty?
She also opposes the treaty because it commits member states to "set up a European Defence Agency".
She must know that this agency has been in place since 2004, under the existing treaties, and that Ireland is a full, voluntary participant in it.
The agency's laudable role is to ensure that where the member states unanimously agree an EU peace mission, as in Chad, the forces taking part have the wherewithal to achieve the objectives entrusted to them.
There is common consensus that the UN-sanctioned, Government-proposed, Dáil-approved, and Irish-led EU mission to Chad is a risky but necessary peace mission. I am proud of the Irish Army and their courage in taking on this difficult operation.
I want the Government and our EU partners to ensure that our Army has the resources, capacity, equipment and training needed to do the job asked of them - and to do it with minimum risk to themselves, and those they'll be working alongside, now and in the future. It's just common sense. - Yours, etc,
PROINSIAS DE ROSSA MEP, Labour Party/Party of European Socialists, European Office, Liberty Hall, Dublin 1.