The summit of EU heads of government in Seville has published two declarations, one from the European Council and the other from Ireland, on Irish neutrality and the Nice Treaty.
They have agreed that any future move to a common defence would be adopted in accordance with the constitutional requirements of each member state, and would not impose any binding commitments.
Ireland's declaration stated that its commitment to a European foreign and security policy did not prejudice its traditional policy of military neutrality.
A third declaration, exclusively by the Irish Government, will set out the terms under which Irish troops may take part in European peace support operations, including the so-called 'triple lock'; mechanism. It states that Irish troops may only serve outside the state after a government decision and a vote of the Dáil, and under a UN mandate.
The Taoiseach has said he expects to call a second referendum on ratification of the Nice Treaty in late October or early November.
Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell welcomed the declarations and urged pro-Nice parties to be up front, open and honest in order to build confidence with the electorate.
The Labour Party said a second referendum should only be held in a changed context, and that a simple declaration from our European partners would not achieve that end.
Sinn Féin, which said it would campaign vigorously against the referendum, called for a constitutional referendum to protect neutrality.
The Green Party leader, Trevor Sargent, accused the Taoiseach of misleading the Irish people.
