Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I recommend Senator Brian Hayes reads De Valera's speech to the Dáil in 1946 on membership of the United Nations. He did not just articulate the traditional policy of neutrality. He mainly articulated Ireland's obligation to take part in international collective security, which could have involved the use of force on certain occasions. People should have no bones about that. When Lemass suggested a willingness to engage in territorial defence of the European Union, he went considerably further than any subsequent Government on this issue.

We are discussing law in this House. When enacting law, we may all have the best possible intentions. Law can last a very long time, sometimes it can last for centuries. People may have different attitudes and intentions. We cannot take for granted the idea that there is overwhelming support for removing the triple lock. The point of law is to have precautions written in so that the law cannot be broken until a decision is made to introduce new legislation. That is why the weakest part of Senator Hayes's argument is that this is some kind of abdication of sovereignty. The adoption of the triple lock is an act of sovereignty and not an abdication. In principle, we could change it in the future, which simply underlines the point that it is a sovereign decision.

I would like to set the record straight on Partnership for Peace. Senator Hayes is correct to state that there was a promise to hold a referendum.