Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the context of the evacuation of Irish citizens from Sudan, the Tánaiste made a big play at the weekend of thanking France, Sweden and the UK for their assistance. We thanked everybody for assisting us. We sent 12 of our people out to assist with the evacuation when we did not have to restrict the number to 12.The triple lock does not apply in humanitarian situations. We survived for 80 years without the triple lock and it is time we got rid of it. It was brought in to shut people up after the referendums on the Nice treaty. Let us be honest here. Do we really want the Chinese, Russian, Americans and British having a say over what we do with our Army? It is time we had a long look at this issue.

Thanking countries is one thing, but freeloading off them is an entirely different matter. We have consistently freeloaded off our European, United States and British neighbours. We did so because we do not have the capacity to carry our own citizens out of places of trouble. Ireland needs to learn from what Australia is learning right now, which is that if states want people to join their armed forces, they will have to pay them properly and give them terms and conditions of employment that make the job worthwhile.

I will not run over time. I thank the Cathaoirleach for his forbearance.