Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
149. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Defence to report on the analysis she has conducted on the impact of her proposal to remove the triple lock on Irish neutrality; the safeguards that will be in place to guarantee Irish neutrality if the triple lock is removed; to report on the engagements she has had on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12368/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Defence Minister, I am committed to reforming the legislative that governs how we deploy our Defence Forces overseas. The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 is included in the Government Legislative Programme for priority publication during the current parliamentary session. The drafting of the Bill is continuing in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. It is my intention to bring the Bill for approval to Government as soon as possible following the conclusion of the drafting process and subsequently begin its progress through the Oireachtas.
Government’s intention to reform this legislation followed detailed consideration of the recommendations of the Consultative Forum in 2023 and the inputs of a wide variety of stakeholders into this process, with participation from civilian and military experts, practitioners and the general public, representing a breadth of experience and views. The prevailing view was that the Triple Lock and the process under which we deploy our troops overseas should be reconsidered.
Analysis undertaken to date has highlighted the increasing constraints posed by the requirement for a United Nations Security Council mandate in circumstances where the Council is frequently unable to act due to the use, or threat, of the veto. This has the potential to limit Ireland’s ability to participate meaningfully in UN-mandated or UN-endorsed operations that support international peace and security, including those directly aligned with our long-standing peacekeeping traditions.
Prior to and since my appointment as Minister for Defence, engagement on this matter has been extensive. Discussions have been held with Cabinet colleagues, with members of the Oireachtas, and with relevant Departments as part of the development of the proposals and the associated legislative preparations. Officials from my Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Mission in New York have ongoing engagement with international partners, including at the United Nations, to provide clarity regarding the nature of the proposed reforms and to reiterate that Ireland remains fully committed to multilateralism, peacekeeping, and the principles of the UN Charter. Furthermore, both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have met on a number of occasions with senior UN personnel and have discussed the proposed changes and I intend to engage with them in the near future.
There also has been very detailed engagement, most recently as part of the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) in 2025, which provided the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Security and Defence with the opportunity to examine the Heads and to consult relevant stakeholders on the proposed Bill. The Committee conducted a very thorough piece of work which reflected the views of a wide range of stakeholders. I updated the Government on 27th of January in relation to my views on the recommendations set out in the report. I advised Government that I will be preparing certain amendments to the General Scheme, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.
Finally, I want to again make it absolutely clear that the Government has no desire to alter our policy of military neutrality. The amendments proposed will do nothing to change Ireland's traditional position of military neutrality, which has always been characterised by Ireland's non-participation in military alliances. Our engagement overseas will continue to be firmly grounded in the principles of the UN Charter and international law and will, of course, require the consent of the democratically elected representatives of the people of Ireland.
