Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 December 2023
157. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 29 November 2023, if he can confirm whether he or his Department has had any engagement with representative governments or civil society organisations from the global south in consideration or development of proposals regarding the triple lock. [53897/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 'Triple Lock' provides that contingents of the Defence Forces may only be despatched for overseas peace support operations where that deployment is (i) approved by the Government, (ii) approved by a resolution of Dáil Éireann if the proposed deployment if of more than 12 personnel and (iii) that the operation is mandated or authorised by the United Nations
As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 29 November 2023, I have concluded that it makes sense to amend our existing legislation in a manner which would allow us to respond to crisis situations with more agility and, where in making those important decisions, we do so without surrendering our sovereignty.
I have, therefore, 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 is commencing immediately, with a view to proposals being brought to Government in due course.
Given that the legislation concerning the conditions under which members of the Defence Forces are deployed overseas is domestic legislation, neither I nor my Department have had any engagement with any third country governments or civil society organisations with regard to the preparation of legislative proposals.
