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

Regarding our assessment as to why Ireland should be a neutral State, some people have talked about moral superiority. That is not it in my view. In my view it is a clear-sighted assessment of the role we can play where we can be of most benefit but also do what is in our interests. I believe that neutrality serves us well and has popular support. The Minister has said he is in favour of neutrality. The massive concern is that without the triple lock, effectively a vote of this Dáil ultimately is the only thing that will decide whether troops will be deployed. What we are talking about here is Irish troops operating outside of a UN mandate. For all the flaws of the UN, it is recognised and there is a certain respect for the blue helmets and all that goes with it and Irish troops have served with distinction under it. With Irish troops being deployed outside that mandate, what if something were to go wrong? That is the concern. What if Irish troops were to become embroiled in something controversial or difficult or that might in any way undermine or damage our status as a neutral state?

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