The Fianna Fáil/PD government is this week seeking to force through the Dáil a motion approving membership of Partnership for Peace. On Tuesday 12 October, TDs Caoimhghín O Caoláin, Tony Gregory, Joe Higgins, John Gormley and Trevor Sargent held a press conference to oppose this railroading.
They took the unusual step of issuing a joint statement because they believe ``the conduct of the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats Government in the matter of NATO's PfP represents an attack on democracy''.
Caoimhghín O Caoláin said: ``No government has ever made such a bizarre u-turn''. And he called on Fianna Fáil to ``live up to the commitment that was given to voters in the last election''.
Fianna Fáil's manifesto pledge read: ``Fianna Fáil are committed to nuclear disarmament. We will oppose any moves to edge Ireland closer to membership of an alliance still committed to the deployment of nuclear weapons. We oppose Irish participation in NATO itself, in NATO-led organisations such as Partnership for Peace, or in the Western European Union beyond observer status.''
After the press conference, the TDs made their way to Leinster House to join a public protest against membership of Partnership for Peace.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)
