Government 'in lockstep' over removal of triple lock, despite backlash from Fianna Fáil TDs

Defence minister Helen McEntee dismissed suggestions unhappiness among some TDs in Fianna Fáil would delay the plan

Under the triple lock, there must be Government approval, Dáil approval and UN approval to deploy more than 12 peacekeepers.

Defence minister Helen McEntee has insisted the Government is in “lockstep” on the removal of the triple lock as she dismissed suggestions TDs would be given a free vote.

It comes amid a growing backlash in Fianna Fáil from some members, who see the change in Ireland’s mechanism for deploying Defence Forces personnel as a “fundamental shift” in policy.

Under the triple lock, there must be Government approval, Dáil approval and UN approval to deploy more than 12 peacekeepers.

The Government has proposed removing the UN authorisation, arguing it gives countries including Russia and the United States the ability to veto Ireland sending troops on peacekeeping missions.

Speaking during a press conference with Welsh first minister Rhun ap Iorwerth, Ms McEntee dismissed suggestions unhappiness among some TDs in Fianna Fáil would delay the plan.

“We are completely lockstep on this,” the defence minister said.

“Government is very clear. We agreed to a programme for government that sets out that we will reform the triple lock, and there's no difference when it comes to that overall objective.”

She said legislative changes would be “explained” through engagement with political parties in Government, and this is ongoing in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

However, Ms McEntee said she was “not aware of any decision” to allow Government TDs to have a free vote or a conscience vote. This was facilitated last week during a debate on removing the three-day “reflection period” for abortions.

Several Government sources told the Irish Examiner a free vote was unlikely, noting reform of the triple lock is a programme for Government commitment, unlike the abortion vote.

Ms McEntee said changing the triple lock was a matter of “sovereignty”, arguing Ireland was a neutral country before the policy was introduced and would continue to be a neutral country.

Higher education minister James Lawless said there was a “robust” but “respectful” discussion on the triplelock at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on Tuesday evening. He said he was in favour of reforming the triple lock.

At the meeting, described by sources as "robust, but not a row", European affairs minister Thomas Byrne outlined the reasons for changing the policy, while Limerick TD Willie O'Dea was said to have spoken about the issues with changing the policy.