Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 June 2025
31. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the avenues that will be available to the people of Ireland to oppose the sending of Irish troops on “coalitions of the willing” if the triple lock is abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31228/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra33. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if the State will be in violation of international law if it abolishes the triple lock and does not withdraw Ireland’s national declaration to the Nice treaty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31231/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 33 together.
Firstly, it is important to recall that both the Dáil and the Government are elected by the people and are ultimately accountable to them. Any decision to deploy members of the Defence Forces overseas is and will remain absolutely grounded in democratic oversight.
The agreed Programme for Government sets out Government’s intention to reform the Triple Lock legislation. As I have already reassured this House, the amendments proposed to the legislation are in keeping with our values and policy of military neutrality, and will do nothing to change that policy.
Detailed assessment is carried out on every proposal to despatch our Defence Forces to participate in an overseas peace operation. Among the main considerations are its compliance with Irish law and our foreign policy. Other elements include whether there is consent of the host nation, who will be our partners in the operation and whether the operation operates in accordance with international law and is consistent with the UN Charter, as well as resources and capacity of the Defence Forces.
As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland’s national despatch requirements were first cited in relation to a non-legally binding annex to the Nice Treaty (known as the Seville Declarations on the Treaty of Nice). Therefore, I can reassure the Deputy that any change to the mechanism despatching Defence Forces personnel overseas would not place the State in violation of international law.
Finally, and it is worth reiterating again that the measures proposed in the draft legislation to amend the provision around the despatch of defence forces personnel do not in any way affect Ireland's policy of military neutrality. As this House is aware, Ireland’s policy of military neutrality is characterised by the non-membership of military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements, which is set out in the Constitution. These legislative proposals have no effect on the Constitutional provision that underpins this policy.
