Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is well aware, section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960, as amended by the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, makes provision for the triple lock mechanism. That is the law and our position on this issue. It would be odd to produce a Green or White Paper that omitted all references to the triple lock mechanism. The Deputy would be more excited and upset if that were to happen. It is reasonable that we review all areas and positions taken and consider the benefits and downsides. I am not expressing a view about change. The last White Paper was produced in 2000 and no major debate preceded its introduction. We now have an opportunity, through a Green Paper, to debate and discuss issues. We need to review where the world is now as compared with where it was in 2000. It is good to review measures we believe are working satisfactorily to ensure they are. If there is something we can do to change or improve the way in which we approach or address issues, we should do so. We should consider whether stances taken in the past which made a lot of sense now make no sense. In a democracy, when one is considering the introduction of a policy paper that may be in place for a decade or more, as was the case in respect of the previous White Paper, it is important consideration is given to where we are. We are living in a different world. For example, there are some areas in which the triple lock mechanism is no longer relevant. An important issue is how we deal with international terrorism. If a group of terrorists based in Ireland is targeting, say, Britain, or persons here are committing criminal acts, should we do nothing until there is a UN mandate? There are concepts that do not cover every issue that arises in the area of defence. However, none of this should cause the Deputy sleepless nights.

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