Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2023
46. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has any plans to review the triple lock process for authorising Irish military participation in overseas deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13680/23]
View answerThe so-called “Triple Lock” mechanism, which sets out the requirements for the deployment of the Defence Forces for peacekeeping operations overseas, is set down in legislation, in particular the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960 and the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, as amended.
The legislation provides that:
- the operation must be mandated by the United Nations;
- it must be approved by the Government; and
- it must be approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann
Any modification to the triple lock requirements for peacekeeping operations overseas, where the Irish Government can deploy DF personnel, would require a change in primary legislation to remove the requirement for the operation to be mandated by the United Nations.
While there are no immediate plans to change the triple lock requirements, my Department has recently commenced work on a Strategic Defence Review, which will provide an opportunity to review all aspects of defence policy, including the conditions under which Defence Forces' personnel are deployed overseas.
Arising from the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, a significant overhaul of the Defence Acts will be required. This will provide an opportunity to modernise the legislation in a range of areas, including, if considered appropriate, in relation to the legal requirements for overseas deployments.
