FF backs Government on European defence deal
Sinn Féin and the Green Party have already signalled their opposition to Pesco, which they see as a threat to Irish neutrality and a possible step on the road to a European army
Ireland is going to sign up for a European common defence deal with the backing of Fianna Fáil. The Dáil is due to vote on Thursday about joining the EU's permanent structured cooperation on defence (Pesco), which has been signed up to by 23 other EU countries. According to the EU, the aim is to have stronger armed forces "and make them available for EU military operations".
Sinn Féin and the Green Party have already signalled their opposition to Pesco, which they see as a threat to Irish neutrality and a possible step onthe road to a European army. But the Irish membership is due to be approved by the Dáil because Fianna Fáil have decided to support the government in this week's vote on the deal.
