Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, has said that Sinn Féin will oppose any attempts by government to undermine Ireland’s neutrality.
Deputy Ó Laoghaire was speaking as the cabinet today approved the process of dismantling the Triple Lock neutrality protection.
Teachta Ó Laoghaire said:
“The proposals brought forward by Tánaiste Simon Harris and approved by cabinet today will bring an end to the Triple Lock.
“It is not reform, or adjustment, or changes; it is an end to the policy designed to protect our neutrality.
“Under the government’s proposals, the Triple Lock would be replaced by a simple majority vote in the Dáil. The reality is that, under the Tánaiste’s proposals, regardless of his current intentions, Irish troops could be deployed anywhere, in any circumstances, provided that the government of the day had a Dáil majority.
“Irish neutrality, and having an independent foreign policy, is a strength. It is valued and supported by the Irish people.
“On the international stage, neutrality has underpinned our contribution to peacekeeping and diplomacy.
“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael effectively want to end the Triple Lock neutrality protection; Sinn Féin will oppose this.
“Irish peacekeepers have done us very proud for generations under a UN flag. They have built and preserved that reputation by their own conduct, and by participating in missions that had a strong basis in International Law.
“In our view, if we begin to participate in missions that have no UN mandate, it is conceivable that other countries will question our military neutrality.
“I also believe that the removal of this protection would expose the government to greater pressure. We see statements such as Ursula Von Der Leyen regarding ‘ReArm Europe’ and closer cooperation. It is not difficult to see how a government incapable of pointing to the current safeguards could come under greater pressure from other European powers.
“Opinion polls this weekend reflect the support that neutrality and, in particular, the Triple Lock neutrality protection has.
“That reflects the understanding that the Irish people have, that Ireland is not a major military power that can exert influence in that way, but that we can best exert influence in the world as a militarily neutral state that is respected.
“Ending the Triple Lock neutrality protection is a major risk to that. It would allow the government of the day free rein – Sinn Féin will oppose this legislation.
“It is also important to note that, in fact, the primary obstacle to participating in Peace Keeping missions has been the appalling neglect of the Defence Forces by successive Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael governments, which led to the withdrawal of Irish troops from the Golan Heights.
“The focus of the current government should be on ensuring that the Defence Forces have the personnel and equipment that it needs, without undermining Irish neutrality.
“The priority of this government must be to rebuild our Defence Forces and ensure that they can participate and contribute in UN Peacekeeping missions to the best of their abilities. Instead of unravelling the Triple Lock – supporting and investing in our defence forces should be the priority.
“The Triple Lock neutrality protection is a core component of Ireland’s independent foreign policy and is enshrined in national declarations to the Irish people by governments in advance of multiple European referendums.
“If the government wants to remove this protection, it should put it to the people.”
