Neutrality and Triple Lock: Motion [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-16
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Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (SF), Cork South-Central

I move:
That Dáil Éireann:
recognises that:
— Ireland's proud tradition of military neutrality, and affirms the State's neutrality and non-alignment with military blocs to be a cornerstone of an independent Irish foreign policy;
— our neutrality, the "Triple Lock" neutrality protection system, have served us well, allowing Ireland to play a constructive role in international affairs, contributing to nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament, humanitarianism and United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions;
— the distinguished service of Irish peacekeepers deployed around the world, and the contribution of every Irish man and woman who has served on such missions throughout the decades; and
— nothing in the "Triple Lock" prevents us from investing properly in our Defence Forces and that it is the decisions of successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Government that has led to the neglect of our Defence Forces;
notes that:
— the destabilising effect of conflicts that are contributing to global and regional instability, including, but not limited to, Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, the continued Israeli occupation of Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank, the US and Israeli war with Iran, the Sudanese war, and urges an end to acts of aggression in all conflicts, and for the primacy of international law to be respected by all nations;
— Ireland's neutrality is an asset in an unpredictable international environment where major powers have undermined and disregarded international law;
— no provision of Ireland's current "Triple Lock" system prevents the evacuation of Irish citizens from conflict-torn regions, participation in appropriate training, and nor does it prevent Ireland's participation in humanitarian missions;
— the failure by successive governments to adequately invest in Ireland's Defence Forces and in our defence capabilities, leaving the State exposed to numerous threats;
— this Government has chosen to make Ireland reliant, and dependent, on foreign militaries to shore up Irish defence vulnerabilities, as seen by recent arrangements relating to security for engagements held as part of Ireland's presidency of the Council of the European Union, including the presence of British ships off the Irish coast;
— concerning reports that the Minister for Defence has directed officials to progress Irish participation in the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force Plus (JEF+), which will mean deeper military alignment with Britain and other NATO states; and
— concerning comments by the Minister for Defence which indicate that Ireland could participate in overseas deployments that do not support a UN resolution, and that she is potentially making arrangements for same; and
agrees that:
— our "Triple Lock" neutrality protection is a core component of Ireland's foreign policy and is underpinned by assurances provided to the Irish people by successive Irish Governments in advance of multiple European referendums, such as the Nice and Lisbon referendums;
— Ireland should be strong on defence and strong on neutrality and that this must be achieved by properly resourcing our Defence Forces, rebuilding our Naval Service, strengthen air and maritime surveillance, and developing radar capabilities;
— participation in the JEF+ would be a departure from the position of military non-alignment and the Government must come clean on what discussions have taken place with the British Government in relation to this;
— Ireland should be open to international co-operation to meet genuine security threats, but that co-operation is not the same thing as military alignment, and that participation in any military alliance, including any British-led military framework, would end our neutrality as we know it;
— Ireland should engage with partners as a militarily neutral state, while investing seriously in our own capacity to defend our airspace, territorial waters and critical infrastructure; and
— any move to alter the "Triple Lock" represents a step towards the complete abandonment of Ireland's policy of military neutrality, and participation in military alliances, as evidenced by the Government's intention to participate in the JEF+; and
calls on the Government:
— not to become a party to the British-led JEF+ military partnership;
— to call a referendum on its proposals to scrap the "Triple Lock"; and
— to accept that the "Triple Lock" is a core component of Ireland's independent foreign policy and is underpinned by assurances provided to the Irish people by successive Irish Governments in advance of multiple European referendums, such as the Nice and Lisbon referendums.
Before I begin, I want to take the opportunity to express my concern in relation to Deputy Michael Healy-Rae and to condemn what has happened to him. It is appalling. I extend my best wishes to his family and hope he makes a strong recovery.
Neutrality is a strength for Ireland and represents how best Ireland can play a useful role in the world. The motion we bring forward is calling on the Government not to end the triple lock. The motion recognises the profound instability in the world: Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the continued Israeli occupation of Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank, the US and Israeli war with Iran, and the Sudanese war. Such conflicts will directly impact on the energy bills of workers and families this winter, but the response to this volatility should not be to cast aside the protections we have. The world we live in is not a reason to change, it is all the more reason to ensure we keep an independent foreign policy. The Taoiseach himself has said in the past that the triple lock is a cornerstone of an independent foreign policy.
The Irish people have a deep connection with neutrality and a strong understanding of Ireland’s place in the world. They understand that Ireland is a small country with an outsized influence on the world. We have achieved that through the strength of our own peace process, our commitment to international law and the strength of our diplomats. It has been achieved by the huge credibility of our brave peacekeepers, who deserve our utmost respect and thanks. We have that credibility because of our history as a colony under imperialism. That is why we are moving a motion on this issue in the Dáil this evening, to protect our neutrality and safeguard the triple lock. These two pillars have allowed us to be a powerful voice for peace in an uncertain and volatile world.
It is not difficult to see that in the future an Irish government could come under immense pressure to participate in deployments - of what kind, we do not know - and we will no longer have the protection of a policy that commits us to serving in UN missions. Indeed, as far as the Minister is concerned, it is a done deal. The Bill has not been voted on or debated in the Dáil, yet she has already given assurances internationally about what Ireland will do once the triple lock is dismantled. She has said we can be assured that Ireland will be part of a CSDP mission in Lebanon. To me, it is a contempt for the Oireachtas that it is a fait accompli , and it does not augur well for what comes after the triple lock if, effectively, she takes it upon herself to speak on behalf of the Oireachtas rather than the Government. The Minister has gone further than any proposal we have seen by proposing to sign up to become an observer member of the Joint Expeditionary Force, JEF+. The JEF is a British-led, effectively military alliance involving nine other NATO member states, and we propose to become an observer member, according to the Minister. According to the British Parliament’s own website, and the JEF is situated in the Britain:
For all JEF Participant Nations, NATO is the foundation of collective security in the Euro-Atlantic area. The JEF, from its inception, has been designed to complement both NATO and Participant Nations’ own response capabilities. The JEF needs to be ready to respond in scenarios ranging from below the threshold of NATO's Article 5 through to full-spectrum interventions during times of crisis or conflict, operating seamlessly with NATO.
This is the organisation we propose to become associated with. Instead of investing properly and adequately in our defence capabilities, the Government has chosen to make Ireland more reliant and dependent, as we have seen in recent weeks, on foreign militaries to shore up defence vulnerabilities. The Irish people expect a government that is strong on defence and neutrality. That should be achieved by properly resourcing our Defence Forces, particularly rebuilding our Naval Service; strengthening maritime surveillance; and developing proper radar capabilities. Participation in a joint expeditionary force-plus, as an observer or otherwise, would be a departure from the position of military non-alignment.
This is why we are moving our motion on this issue: to safeguard our neutrality, to call on the Government to come clean on its plans to join this military framework as an associate and to safeguard our triple lock, which has allowed us to be a voice for peace in an uncertain and volatile world. I am sure we will hear many of the same arguments and that the Minister will talk about sovereignty. Under our Constitution, it is the people who are sovereign. If Government Members are so certain of their position on this, and given Governments sought and gave reassurances to the Irish people during repeated referendums on the basis of the triple lock, then they should put it to the people - but they will not, because they know well what answer they would receive.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-16