Triple Lock: Mary Lou McDonald calls for referendum on changes to Irish neutrality

Opposition figures have criticised the proposed removal of the UN mandate requirement and raised concerns about limited time for parliamentary scrutiny

Mary Lou McDonald calls for referendum on proposed changes to Triple Lock neutrality rules. Picture: Mark Marlow/PA Wire

The Government should put any proposals to change the Triple Lock to a referendum rather than restricting debate on the proposal, the Dáil has heard.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald told Taoiseach Micheál Martin that changing the mechanism for deploying peacekeepers would “fundamentally move Irish foreign policy away from neutrality”.

The Dáil will debate the Triple Lock on Wednesday.

Currently, Dáil approval, Government approval and a United Nations (UN) mandate are required to deploy troops overseas. However, the coalition is seeking to remove the requirement for a UN mandate amid fears that members of the Security Council could veto and block missions.

This would turn the Triple Lock into a Double Lock, requiring approval from the Dáil and Government.

During a fiery Dáil debate, in which Mr Martin accused Sinn Féin of supporting Nazism during World War II and “colluding with the Hitler regime”, Ms McDonald called on the Taoiseach to hold a referendum on the proposed changes.

“You want to force your bill through because you don't want proper scrutiny of this legislation and its consequences of a bill that, if passed, will fundamentally move Irish foreign policy away from neutrality and towards military entanglement, away from peacekeeping and towards military adventurism,” Ms McDonald said.

“We know what's at stake here, because scrapping the Triple Lock opens the door for Ireland to be dragged deeper into EU military structures aligned with NATO's strategy.

“The Triple Lock is core to our neutrality. It’s a strength that has allowed Ireland to be a credible voice for peace and diplomacy for generations. To use our experience of colonisation and oppression to always speak up for justice, to champion a better world in a way that is unequivocally, unapologetically, and powerfully Irish.”

Ms McDonald argued that “piece by piece”, the Government was “dismantling neutrality” without a “mandate”.

Mr Martin argued that “peacekeeping has been one of the great manifestations of Ireland's outreach to the global world” and “one of our most significant commitments to the rule of law, to many, many marginalised people in conflict and humanitarian crises all over the world”.

“The idea that we're about to abandon that is outrageously hyperbolic,” the Taoiseach said.

Ms McDonald pointed out that Mr Martin had said in 2013 that the Triple Lock was at the “core” of Irish neutrality.

Opposition raises concerns over debate

Ahead of Leaders’ Questions, opposition members linked to the Irish Neutrality League spoke at a press conference, raising concerns that the Triple Lock debate was too short and was being “guillotined” through the Dáil.

Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman called on Fianna Fáil TDs who had previously expressed concerns about the Triple Lock to protest.

“I'm calling on Fianna Fáil backbenchers who are concerned about this, make your voice known,” he said.

“Don't allow this debate on the bill to go ahead in this truncated fashion.

“There is an opportunity to slow this down, and give this fundamental policy change the scrutiny that it deserves.” 

Independent Senator Mary Alice Higgins raised concerns about “future debates or what future specific military action might be guillotined?” 

“Because we are now moving to a situation where a vote of the Dáil could send us and send our troops overseas,” she said.

“Will those debates also be guillotined.”