Neutrality and Triple Lock: Motion [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-16
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Brian Stanley (IND), Laois

The Deputy is okay. I refer to the fact that we are here having to put down motions like this to try to counter the moves being taken by the Government. It is a sad day that this has to happen. As a member of the defence and national security committee, we have been around this and it is clear what is being mooted here by the Government.
Neutrality was never more important, given the instability in the world, the level of conflict and the warmongering by imperial powers and former imperial powers. Despite being a relatively small country, neutrality has given us credibility internationally. We have played a positive role diplomatically and, from a military point of view, in peacekeeping, etc. Being neutral and having the triple lock does not prevent us in any way from deploying our Defence Forces personnel overseas on rescue missions or for humanitarian purposes. The Minister confirmed that to me in the committee just a few short months ago. This can be done without a UN mandate and does not limit the number we need to deploy.
The triple lock is key to our neutral status. Solemn national declarations were attached to both the Lisbon and Nice treaties by the then Fianna Fáil Government to get both treaties passed on the second attempt, which was successful from the Government's point of view. Now, the Government is proposing to tear them up. This is a denial of democracy and a slap in the face for the Irish people. If Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael want to abolish the triple lock, then put it to a referendum of the people because they voted on this twice.
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have consistently worked to undermine our neutrality. We hear pronunciations that we are not members of NATO but the NATO chiefs are quite happy because they know we have joined so many partnerships and alliances at this stage that we are there all but in name. That has happened over the past two decades. Of course we should have sensible co-operation, particularly with neighbouring states. That has to happen and it can be done by neutral states but entering into alliances is a different matter.
The latest moves to undermine our neutrality were reported comments by the Minister that Ireland could engage in overseas deployments that did not have UN approval. Also, the Minister needs to confirm reports that she has directed officials to plan for Irish participation in the British-led joint expeditionary forces. The Government needs to come out and clarify that. Any such proposal should be brought before the Dáil.
Instead of ever closer involvement in all sorts of alliances at a regional level, the Government should work with other neutral states and unaligned states, of which there are dozens, to establish the primacy of multilateralism and re-establish and strengthen the UN. Ireland, as a neutral country, should not be bound tightly to those imperial powers and former imperial powers that have made huge attempts to undermine the United Nations and all attempts at peace and multilateralism. The Government's position is that the Dáil and Cabinet would still have a say. The Minister knows what will happen.

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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