Neutrality and Triple Lock: Motion [Private Members]
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-16
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Danny Healy-Rae (IND), Kerry

I am glad to have a chance to speak. Neutrality is paramount for the people of Ireland. We still thank former Taoiseach, De Valera who told certain countries where to go when they were looking for Ireland to join the Second World War. The Taoiseach, Deputy Martin, said in 2013 that the triple lock was at the core of our neutrality. I do not understand how he can come in here and say the opposite at this time. I heard what the Minister said about changing times and all of that.
The facts are that if we want to change our neutrality, the Government should go to the people. What is it afraid of? The Taoiseach told the people in previous referendums that the triple lock would remain in place and that there were treaties. He promised that the triple lock would stay more recently than 2013. If the Government wants to change this, it should go to the people. What is it afraid of? The people will not bite.
A couple of months ago, the Government gave €2 million to Ukraine, I believe to keep the war going. The Government did not tell Members how much it was giving. The Government asked its backbenchers to vote for it as part of a €90 billion European fund to help Ukraine. That was just to keep the war going. The Government had no control over the money. The Government said it was a loan. When will it be paid back? The Government is not being honest with the people. There is no hope that that money will ever be paid back. We should use the money for European funds for our Defence Forces because they can protect us. No one can stop us going abroad with our Defence Forces. We are a sovereign State. We need to stand our ground and not try to cod the people.

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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