Neutrality 'completely unaffected' by triple lock changes, minister says
James Cox
Ireland's neutrality will be "completely unaffected" by proposed changes to the triple lock, despite criticism from opposition TDs, according to a Government minister.
Under the current system, Ireland cannot deploy any more than 12 Defence Forces peacekeepers overseas without a mission being approved by the UN Security Council or General Assembly, as well as approval by the Government and the Dáil.
Under draft legislation being advanced by the Government, it is proposed to remove the requirement of formal UN approval and replace it with a stipulation that the deployments are in accordance with the UN Charter.
The Government argues that this will prevent the five permanent members of the Security Council – Russia, China, the UK, the US and France – from exercising their veto against Irish peacekeeping missions.
The Irish Neutrality League and a number of opposition TDs have pledged a "robust challenge" to the changes.
In an interview with BreakingNews.ie, Minister of State Neale Richmond said: "Ireland’s triple lock mechanism for deploying troops abroad is an archaic tool that is hindering our ability to be a global force for good whilst surrendering our sovereign decision making to the veto powers of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
"Given a UN mandate can be vetoed by any of the five permanent security council members, we are effectively giving the likes of Russia and China and a veto of where and when we send our own troops."
It is perverse to equate being able to participate in more peacekeeping missions as undermining our long held tradition of military neutrality.
Mr Richmond added: "Ireland’s military neutrality is completely unaffected by any proposed changes to the triple lock, it is perverse to equate being able to participate in more peacekeeping missions as undermining our long held tradition of military neutrality.
"As it stands, Ireland could not send 13 members of our defence forces to Ukraine to help train Ukrainians on land mine removal, the very same land mines that are killing and maiming so many."
The Fine Gael TD also discussed how vetoes have blocked peacekeeping missions in recent years.
"There has been no new UN mandated peacekeeping missions in over a decade due to wrangling on the security council, such as in the case of deployment to the Former Yougoslav Republic of Macedonia, while Ireland’s participation in existing peacekeeping missions has been delayed due to the failure of the Security Council to support renewal mandates such as for Operation Sophia and for policing work in Bosnia Herzegovina."
He also rejected claims by opposition TDs that changes to the triple lock should be put to a national referendum.
"The triple lock was created in the 1950s after Ireland first joined the UN, it was created by legislation and it is not included in our Constitution therefore no referendum is required.
"Those calling for a referendum are turning their back on our system of parliamentary democracy. The Government’s proposal is not a new one, there were four regional consultative fora in the last parliamentary mandate while my party Fine Gael has advocated for the abolition of the triple lock for over 20 years. We published a heads of Bill in March and desire to have that put to pre legislative scrutiny and a lengthy parliamentary debate."
He reiterated the importance of the Defence Forces' reputation as accomplished peacekeepers.
"Our world is a scary place at the moment, Ireland aspires to be not just a voice for peace but also an active force for peace. That is why we want to enable our Defence Forces to be able to do more in the name of peace. We can and must do more."
