Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is vital to raise the issue of Ireland's policy of military neutrality, which is now under clear threat from this Government. I am deeply concerned by reports that the Tánaiste, Deputy Harris, has begun preparations for the purchase of a fleet of fighter jets at a cost to the Exchequer of between €60 million and €100 million per year. In light of yesterday's formal approval by Cabinet of the dismantling of the triple lock, this is extremely alarming. Ireland's long and proud tradition of military neutrality is under existential threat. The speed and intensity with which this new Government is moving has to be condemned. Military neutrality is a policy that has enjoyed the overwhelming support of the Irish people in successive opinion polls. Public outrage about this matter in recent weeks has been tangible and clear. They have a right to be consulted on this massive change to our foreign relations.

I am further deeply concerned by the arguments the Tánaiste has used in recent weeks. He claims that under the triple lock, each permanent member of the Security Council holds a veto over the deployment of Irish peacekeepers abroad. This is simply not true. The Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 specifically defines UN authorisation under the triple lock as including resolutions passed by the UN General Assembly. As we all know, there are no permanent members or vetoes in play at the General Assembly. Decisions are made by all UN member states, including Ireland. Under the 1950 uniting for peace resolution, the General Assembly is specifically empowered to act where the Security Council fails due to a permanent member veto, including in the context of potential military deployment. Furthermore, in 2015, the assembly acted to authorise a war crimes investigation in Syria despite the threat of a Russian veto at the Security Council. The Tánaiste's claims that Ireland's hands are tied by a Russian veto at the Security Council are contradicted by the very text of the legislation that he is seeking to overturn, which is very worrying. Once overturned, Ireland's role as a peaceful, militarily non-aligned country will be forever diminished and damaged.

The work of UN diplomacy in this international context is, of course,challenging and painstaking. Nonetheless, I urge the Tánaiste to reverse course. We must stay committed to military neutrality and a proud tradition of multilateral approval for the work of Irish soldiers who deploy to serve on peacekeeping missions around the world. I ask for the Tánaiste to come before the House. I call for a debate on this absolutely vital issue. The Irish people need to know about what is proposed. I hope all of the those in opposition are on board with my request.