Referendum needed on triple lock, says Gibney

The Irish people should have a vote to decide the future of the triple lock, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs and Defence Spokesperson Sinéad Gibney.

The Dublin Rathdown TD said that the Dáil will vote on a motion by her party in March 26th, which if passed, would facilitate a referendum on the contentious issue.

In recent weeks, the government has announced plans to roll back commitments to the Triple Lock system as it stands, citing heightened geopolitical tension in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Ireland joined the UN in 1955 and, in 1960, legislation was first passed to ensure that members of the defence forces could deploy on UN mandated peacekeeping missions. For more than 60 years, the blue beret of UN peacekeeping missions has been synonymous with Irish overseas missions. Throughout that time, members of the defence forces have served with distinction in a number of conflict zones,” she explained.

“At the turn of the century, when previous governments were trying to pass the Nice and Lisbon Treaties, the triple lock was held out as a guarantee that Ireland’s policy of military neutrality would be retained, despite closer links being forged with the EU; now despite all of these solemn commitments, the current government is attempting to scrap the triple lock – and the requirement for peacekeeping missions to have a UN mandate – without any national debate on the issue having taking place.”

Gibney said that the triple lock is “central” to Irish neutrality, and as such, a major issue like that should be put to a referendum.

The Social Democrats said that a vote on the issue could become necessary in their manifesto for the November 2024 election.

“A plebiscite could be held quite quickly, given it is a net issue, empowering the Irish people to decide whether to keep, or scrap, the triple lock,” she said.

“The government, if they believe they are doing the right thing, have nothing to fear from a people’s vote,” the Social Democrats TD remarked.

“The government simply need to make their case, that the triple lock is an anachronism, and see if the people agree with them.”

“Plebiscites are quite rare, and held on matters of public importance, and there can be no doubt that a serious undermining of our longstanding policy of neutrality meets this test.”

“On March 26^th, the Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion calling for such a people’s vote. I hope other parties, including government parties, will support our motion and facilitate this important national debate and vote on this issue.”