Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
151. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has any proposals for the Defence Forces to participate in overseas missions for which the triple-lock neutrality protection currently precludes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53486/23]
View answerThe so-called "triple lock" mechanism sets out the requirements for the deployment of Defence Forces' personnel for peacekeeping operations overseas. These requirements are provided for in legislation, in particular the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960 and the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, as amended.
The Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 also provides for a series of other circumstances in which members of the Permanent Defence Forces may be deployed overseas “with the prior approval of and on the authority of the Government”.
Having reflected on the very well-informed discussion on the issue of UN peacekeeping and the “Triple Lock” at the Consultative Forum on International Security, at which there was no single consensus over how to proceed, I have concluded that we need a new process to replace the current system which effectively allows Security Council members to bind Ireland’s hands in its international engagement.
In my statement to the Dáil on 22 November, I was not prescriptive about what about what changes would be made to the existing legislation. As I indicated in the debate, I have instructed officials in the Department of Defence to prepare legislative proposals without delay that would govern the future overseas deployments of our Defence Forces.
Work on the preparation of those legislative proposals has commenced, with a view to proposals being brought to Government in due course. Any proposals agreed by Government will then have to be presented to, debated and approved by the Dáil and Seanad, thus providing the Oireachtas with ample opportunity to scrutinise any such proposals.
It is important that I emphasise that any legislative proposals will remain fully consistent with the principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Any change to the Triple Lock will continue to require Government and Dáil approval for the despatch of Defence Forces’ personnel to take part in peacekeeping and similar missions and will do nothing to change Ireland’s traditional position of military neutrality, which is characterised by Ireland's non-participation in any military alliance.
The Government currently has no plans for the Defence Forces to participate in any new overseas missions, but will consider any requests to contribute to such missions, subject to any deployments being consistent with the provisions of Irish law.
