John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I raised this issue last night as I did three years ago. The triple lock is a necessary mechanism to deal with our own insecurities about neutrality. Let us call a spade a spade. That is the reason we had to do that. It is a question of having a more mature debate about what our neutrality means and the real crux of the issue for me is the power of veto. We are not in a position to change the UN Security Council. I am aware that Kofi Annan has stated over the past 24 months or so that there must be an examination of the reorganisation of the UN and the way it does its business but I doubt if people will give way on the power of veto. The power of veto is the key.

The Minister might avail of the opportunity to clarify some concerns I have about this whole area. I am inclined to agree with Senator Ryan that as of now there is no evidence that we should amend or change our stated policy on the triple lock mechanism. In the case of Macedonia, however, my understanding is that we already had troops there in some capacity, albeit a handful of troops — I stand corrected if I am wrong — and when the UN resolution failed, we had to withdraw them. Perhaps they were seconded to NGOs or used by way of some other mechanism.

We will have a problem if a clear humanitarian crisis arises and a request is made for Irish troops to assist, be it logistically, engineering wise or in whatever speciality the troops are required, in an unarmed mission with no conflict and which is clearly of a humanitarian nature. How do we get over that problem? Do we get over it by seconding troops to an NGO? A crisis developed in Nicaragua or somewhere after a hurricane and a platoon or a company of engineers assisted by way of logistical support. Perhaps that situation could be clarified.

If we have a mechanism to allow us respond to situations similar to what happened in Nicaragua, where a UN mandate is not required but we were in a position from a humanitarian basis to allow military personnel with their expertise contribute to an international aid effort, that would be appropriate. Do we have a mechanism to reflect the will of the Irish people in such disasters? Unfortunately, we sometimes look at the military purely from a perspective of guns. There is much more expertise within the military to allow its personnel move into a situation logistically in terms of engineering or whatever. All I am saying is that if such a situation were to arise, it would be unfortunate if we as a people were unable to contribute to it because of the vested interests of one of the five permanent members of the Security Council. It is not that I want to abolish or change the triple lock mechanism in any way. I want a mechanism that reflects the will of the people in such a scenario and on such a request. I support the requirement for the triple lock mechanism. It is what the Irish people demand in their understanding of our neutrality.