Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)

The Taoiseach referenced the galloping militarisation happening at EU level. It underlines the importance of Ireland's neutrality in that context and the importance of the struggle to defend that neutrality. Significant numbers will be on the streets this Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Garden of Remembrance to do so. What we have heard about the triple lock has confirmed the basic point the Taoiseach made in 2013, which was that it is at the core of our neutrality. What we have seen in the heads of Bill and what we heard in the Oireachtas committee from the Department of Defence two weeks ago has underlined our fears and the fact that what is proposed is a total abolition of the triple lock and the effective end of what is left of neutrality. Would the Taoiseach agree with the Department of Defence in committee that the heads of Bill would allow Irish troops, more than 50, to be sent abroad without UN approval as part of US-led coalitions or as part of NATO or EU-led missions? Does the Taoiseach agree with it that it would have meant that troops could have been sent to participate in the invasion of Iraq?

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