An Irish group is criticising the decision to award the European Union with the Nobel Peace Prize.

The 2012 award is to be formally accepted at a ceremony in Oslo tomorrow by European Parliament President Martin Shulz, EC President Jose Manuel Barroso and the President of the EC Herman Van Rompuy.

According to the People's Movement in Ireland the EU is responsible for 32 per cent of arms exports around the world and they say this goes against the criteria set out by Alfred Nobel for qualifying for the award.

A candlelight vigil will be held outside the offices of the European parliament in Dublin this afternoon in protest against the awarding of the prize.

Patricia McKenna, Chairperson of the People's Movement in Ireland says while there may be peace within the EU, they are not promoting peace around the world: