Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South-Central, Sinn Fein)

I do not agree with everything Senator Craughwell said, but the issues relating to the Air Corps are extremely urgent and need to be addressed. As a committee we should be looking at that. I hope the witnesses will return to discuss that with us. I echo the point made by Senator Clonan. It is clear that this is the end of the triple lock. I have not heard any rebuttal of that point. There is no other lock. There is no amendment of the triple lock. There is no adjustment. Ultimately, if the Bill is passed a Government with a majority in the Dáil will be able deploy troops to wherever it wishes. I believe the witnesses have confirmed that. The triple lock is gone and it is some sort of Simon Harris lock that is left. That has been clearly borne out.

The 1960 Act and the subsequent Act refer frequently to an international force. The first question that arises is about other international forces beyond the UN. We talk about UN mandates from the Security Council or the General Assembly. Without that mandate there is no UN mission. The UN mission is not there. When we talk about international forces, are we talking about the EU, in effect? Are we considering anyone else?