Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will reform the triple lock mechanism which governs the deployment of contingents of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17545/05]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Defence if the Government intends to view the operation of the triple lock at any stage in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17565/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 30 together.

As the House is aware, the circumstances in which the Defence Forces may participate in overseas peace support operations have been made very clear by the Government. For participation to take place, the conditions known as the triple lock must be satisfied. According to the triple lock, an operation must be authorised or mandated by the United Nations, approved by Government and endorsed by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann.

Section 2 of the Defence (Amendment)(No. 2) Act 1960 provides that a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force may be despatched for service outside the State as part of a particular international United Nations force only if a resolution has been passed by Dáil Éireann approving the despatch of a Defence Forces contingent for extra-territorial service as part of the international United Nations force in question. An international United Nations force is defined in the Defence (Amendment) Act 1993 as "an international force or body established by the Security Council or the General Assembly of the United Nations".

The UN mandate for a force and the Dáil resolution provided for in section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960 form two elements of triple lock. The third element is the Government decision to approve the dispatch of a contingent and introduce an appropriate resolution in Dáil Éireann. Section 2(2) of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960 provides that a contingent of the Defence Forces can serve overseas in the absence of a Dáil resolution where the force is unarmed and the contingent consists of no more than 12 members of the Permanent Defence Force or where the contingent is intended to replace, in whole or in part, or reinforce, an existing contingent.

As I have stated on many occasions in response to questions in the House and elsewhere, there are no plans to reform the current triple lock arrangements.

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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While we have dealt with the matter in other questions to a certain extent, I wish to know whether the Minister accepts that unless massive reform of the UN decision-making process takes place, Ireland will not be able to address quickly any crisis internationally. The issue is extremely importance in the context of the clear indication from Irish aid workers in the field that it no longer constitutes a solution simply to get aid to an area. It is necessary to restore order and create roads and other infrastructure if one is to deal with a crisis. The quicker a problem can be addressed, the better.

Ireland's participation in international peacekeeping will be ineffective unless there is significant reform of the UN's decision-making process or we formulate criteria domestically which allow us to participate in actions provided they conform to UN principles but which prevent any one nation exercising a veto on such participation.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Our contribution in the eyes of the world will not be undermined. The world has shown great admiration for our contribution over the past 50 years which has been made within the constraints of the triple lock and which will continue. The rapid reaction proposal is one further element which consists of a relatively small group of 1,500 troops going in at five days' notice from the time the decision is taken by the European Council, being supplied to remain for about 30 days, and to be resupplied for a further 30 days. In the vast majority of cases I envisage that will be just a holding operation until such time as the United Nations, either by way of contracting out the job or in the traditional blue helmet way goes in itself. We will certainly be playing our part in that.

In reply to Deputy Gerard Murphy, I am conducting extensive studies at present on all the obstacles that stand in the way of our participation in battle groups to see whether we can get around them within the confines of the triple lock. If it comes to a straight choice between the triple lock and participation in battle groups, my policy will be to stick with the triple lock. We await the outcome of the studies and research that are ongoing, which should not be delayed for much longer.

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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I assure the Minister that if he succeeds in coming up with a mechanism that would allow us full participation in humanitarian efforts where there are crises he will have the support of Fine Gael.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I welcome the Minister's personal commitment to the triple lock. I wonder how much sway he will hold in Cabinet in the long term. Is it not the case that for many people the triple lock is incompatible with our participation in battle groups? Does the Minister suggest that we become À la carte members of the battle groups? If he is totally committed, as he stated, to the triple lock, why has the Government refused to enshrine it in the Constitution where it belongs and let the people make a decision on this? I am convinced the people are totally committed to the United Nations. It has served us well and, as the Minister stated, we have gained a great deal of admiration around the world for our participation in UN missions.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am personally committed to the triple lock, as Deputy Gormley recognised, but I also speak for the Cabinet. That is Government policy. We will stick with the triple lock.

In regard to Deputy Gormley's reference to À la carte members of battle groups, my understanding is that one cannot become an À la carte member of a battle group, one is either in or out. Our non-participation in common defence, as Deputy Gormley will know, is written into the Constitution.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Yes, but not the triple lock.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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No, the triple lock is not written into the Constitution but non-participation in common defence will suffice in this regard.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I do not think so. It is really only a matter of time before it goes. I foresee that it will go in spite of the personal commitment of the Minister.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I do not share Deputy Gormley's pessimism.