Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this very important motion this evening. I am very sad and sorry to see this proposal being brought forward by the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin. I cannot understand it. He is undermining all the good works of the Defence Forces and their peacekeeping efforts over the years when we were applauded. The triple lock has served us well and I cannot understand how this can be gone back on. Back in 2013 Fianna Fáil argued with Fine Gael when it wanted to do away with the triple lock. If we want to remain neutral, I cannot understand we have to remove the triple lock now.

As a young fellow, I remember listening to Raidió Éireann, when we had only radio, on different occasions to de Valera making the speech where Ireland wanted to remain neutral. I applaud him for that and for standing up to the English. He said we were oppressed for over 800 years and the British wanted us to go into the war. I applaud him for standing up to the might of the US and the UK at that time. This is very dangerous. No consideration is being given to the forces that we have at present because that was never in their contract. The Government will have to change their contract. As an employer, I know that if the contract is changed, it will have to pay people and get their agreement and understanding to do that, and the Government has not done that.

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