Gibney raises concerns over proposed Triple Lock changes

Social Democrats TD Sinéad Gibney has called on the Government to urgently outline what specific changes are being proposed to the Triple Lock arrangement as part of the upcoming Defence Bill.

Gibney, who was recently named as the party’s new spokesperson on defence, said “the Triple Lock is an integral part of Ireland’s longstanding tradition of neutrality. It means that Irish troops can only be deployed overseas if there is approval from the Cabinet, the Dáil, and if the mission is UN-mandated.”

“This protection formed a key part of gaining assent from the public on the Lisbon Treaty,” she noted.

“The government has signalled its intention to remove the UN component of the Triple Lock, but it is not yet clear what it will replace it with. The planned removal of this protection was called out last week by international peace organisations in an open letter.”

“Responses to parliamentary questions I received raise serious concerns about the Government’s plans and suggest it is intent on dismantling, not reforming, the Triple Lock,” she stated.

“Firstly, I strongly disagree with Tánaiste Simon Harris’s contention that there is no connection between the Triple Lock and our military neutrality.

“Secondly, it is deeply worrying that, in his response to me, Mr Harris only refers to the need for Dáil and Cabinet approval for the deployment of Defence Forces’ personnel overseas as part of any modification to the Triple Lock.

The Dublin Rathdown TD said “we are in danger of giving up on the UN as – in the Taoiseach’s own words – an ‘essential part of the international system’. Nobody is saying the UN is not flawed but we have no answers on what replacement mechanism for a UN mandate will be suggested, or how it would be adequate.”

“Without confirmation that a third international body will be included in the legislation to replace the UN mandate – and what form that would take – this effectively means the Triple Lock would be abolished.

“With the Defence Bill scheduled as priority legislation in the Spring Legislative Programme, the Government must immediately clarify its position.”

In recent weeks, fellow Southside TD Paul Murphy has said that the Triple Lock itself is “under threat.”

Speaking before his re-election to the European Parliament last June, Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Andrews said the triple lock is “outdated” and “not fit for purpose.”