Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Irish Neutrality League held a significant press conference this morning, when a coalition of Opposition TDs and Senators united to urge our Government to heed the voices of the people. Time and time again, polls have shown that the majority of our population remains steadfastly committed to maintaining our neutrality.We must call on the Government to halt any efforts that could undermine our democracy and damage our international standing as a beacon of peace, particularly in light of its plans to abolish the triple lock. The Government has signalled its intention to advance legislation aimed at dismantling the triple lock as part of the spring legislative programme. The triple lock represents a solemn promise made to the Irish people addressing widespread concerns about militarisation and the potential erosion of our neutrality. It ensures that, with few exceptions, Irish military personnel cannot be deployed for combat operations abroad without prior approval from the United Nations, be it from the Security Council or the General Assembly.

As a nation, we take great pride in our long-standing contributions to UN peacekeeping missions and our influential role in advocating for global disarmament and international law. Our credibility in these areas has been bolstered by our commitment to neutrality. The Government's move to abolish the triple lock signifies a fundamental and dangerous shift in our foreign policy. It signals a troubling alignment with NATO and the concept of a European army, ultimately putting the brave men and women of our Defence Forces at greater risk. We must remind ourselves of the values that define us as a nation. We must protect our neutrality and continue to champion peace, ensuring that Ireland remains a respected voice in international affairs. I call for an urgent debate on this issue as soon as is possible.