Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I essentially agree with the substance of what was said by the two previous speakers. I support the triple lock mechanism but if a case arose where there was an arbitrary veto and it was clear nonetheless that there was overwhelming public support for the operation to go ahead, it would always be open to the Government to introduce emergency or fast-track legislation to suspend it in that specific instance. I agree that if this turned out to be a recurring rather than a once-off problem, we might need to do something more fundamental. However, if we get rid of the triple lock mechanism, we are leaving it wide open for a variety of situations.

Senator Ryan is right in saying that the triple lock mechanism would not prove an insuperable difficulty in coalition negotiations. I am sure that is correct. If one studies the track record of the past 25 years, one will see that Fine Gael is always more forward on defence policy and at times outright sceptical if not hostile to Irish neutrality. Fine Gael defers to the strong convictions of its partners. I remember when the Fine Gael spokesman——