Darren O'Rourke
Question:80. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Defence if she will commit to a public plebiscite on the question of the removal of the triple lock; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31760/26]
View answerThursday, 7 May 2026
Questions (80)
Written answers
Thank you Deputy for your question. There have been a number of calls for a public plebiscite in relation to the Government's proposed changes to the triple lock. It is important to highlight, however, that there is a lot of conflation as to what is being proposed and what is actually being suggested.
The triple lock is a statutory mechanism - set out in the Defence (Amendment) Act 1960 - not a constitutional mechanism. It is not enshrined in our Constitution and it was a political commitment during the Nice and Lisbon Treaty processes, not as a constitutional or legal obligation. It is clear therefore that amending the legislation which governs how we deploy our Defence Forces overseas does not require a referendum or national plebiscite.
We are talking about a very different time when this legislation was developed, compared to the changed geopolitical environment that we exist in now. We now find ourselves in a situation where one of five countries of the UN Security Council can decide whether or not our Irish troops can travel to engage in peacekeeping missions, be it in Lebanon, the western Balkans, the Mediterranean or any other part of the world. It simply is not acceptable to have a situation in which Ireland's sovereign decision making with regard to participation in peace operations can be impacted by the geopolitical interests of other states.
I can reassure this House however that Government remains fully committed to maintaining democratically accountable arrangements that will govern the despatch of Defence Forces personnel overseas. I can also reassure this House, as I have done on a number of occasions, and as have my predecessors on this matter, that any legislative proposals will remain fully consistent with the principles of the UN Charter and international law, and will do nothing to alter or undermine Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.