Dáil debate on neutrality sparks heated exchange between Tánaiste and People Before Profit TDs

People Before Profit TD, Paul Murphy, claimed Micheál Martin was 'telling lies'

Both Paul Murphy (left) and Brid Smith (right) had a fiery exchange with Micheál Martin over Ireland's "triple lock" neutrality system. File picture: Collins

There was a heated exchange in the Dáil on Thursday when Bríd Smith accused the Tánaiste of trying to operate outside of the UN Charter by changing the "triple lock" neutrality system.

The People Before Profit TD called into question the Tánaiste's motives for seeking Government approval to draft a bill that would change how the Defence Forces are sent on peacekeeping missions overseas.

Her suggestion that Irish troops would be sent into a war situation led Micheál Martin to respond that Ms Smith had previously tried to block democratic debate on the matter.

Another People Before Profit TD, Paul Murphy, also joined the fiery exchange claiming Mr Martin was "telling lies" and loudly laughing as the Tánaiste spoke.

Currently, the triple-lock mechanism only allows deployment where there is a UN mandate (either from the Security Council or General Assembly), Government approval, and a Dáil resolution.

Ms Smith asked the Tánaiste to explain to the public what changes are being sought and why.

"Where do you want to send Irish troops? Where that you can't send them under the direction of the UN Charter?" she asked.

Questions about Irish neutrality have been at the forefront of discussions since Russia first invaded Ukraine in February 2022 when, Ms Smith said, "everything changed".

In March of this year, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Europe is in a pre-war era, Ms Smith said. While Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the Military Committee, has said that we are preparing for war with Russia.

Ms Smith asked:

Can you please clarify for the Irish public, do you want to send the sons and daughters of Irish, mostly working-class people to be sent out to fight wars on behalf of the new colonial powers that are dominating the world now?

Mr Martin said the triple lock has nothing to do with Irish military neutrality but has everything to do with "the incapacity, and the paralysis on the Security Council around peacekeeping missions".

Mr Martin said that since Ireland joined the EU, the Opposition has talked of conscription and evoked images of Nato tanks on O'Connell Street. These claims were interrupted by Paul Murphy who accused the Tánaiste of telling lies prompting a warning from the Ceann Comhairle.

Further interruption from Ms Smith drew ire from Mr Martin who said he would not be browbeaten by the pair.

Mr Martin said the claims made by Ms Smith that removing the triple lock would result in young Irish people fighting in wars was a monstrous lie. The reality of the situation, he said, is that there will be increasing need to evacuate Irish citizens from war zones in the future.