Neutrality and Triple Lock: Motion [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-16
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Maurice Quinlivan (SF), Limerick City

Neutrality and our triple lock have served us well and should continue to do so. The Irish people are proud of our history of neutrality, diplomacy and peacekeeping. We are particularly proud of our Defence Forces and the role they have played as peacekeepers in some of the most dangerous conflict zones in the world. In deployments in Europe, Africa and Lebanon, they have done us all proud.
I am opposed to the steps being taken by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to end the triple lock on our neutrality protection. Moves to end our triple lock requirements are being made by this Government at a time of growing international conflict and at a time when pressures are being deployed across Europe to increase military spending. This is not a time for us to weaken our traditions of neutrality and the triple lock requirements for the deployment of Irish men and women to conflict zones.
Our neutrality is fundamental to our foreign policy and an extremely important aspect of that is the checks required under the triple lock system. Our neutrality and the reputation of our Defence Forces abroad are part of the reasons the Irish passport is one of the most respected across the globe, allowing us access to 186 countries. Generally, our Defence Forces can operate in conflict zones where other militaries attached to defence pacts cannot do so. This is because of our neutrality and the professionalism of our peacekeepers, and has allowed us to assist in both current and post-humanitarian missions.
I will remind the Minister of some of the text of the Seville declarations from June 2002 after Ireland rejected the Nice treaty in 2001.
Ireland reiterates that the participation of contingents of the Irish Defence Forces in overseas operations, including those carried out under the European security and defence policy, requires (a) the authorisation of the operation by the Security Council or the General Assembly of the United Nations, (b) the agreement of the Irish Government and (c) the approval of Dáil Éireann, in accordance with Irish law.
This was won because of two referendums that were initially defeated and these words we came back with need to be protected.

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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