Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Recent opinion polls have shown that our neutrality and the triple lock are supported by a significant majority of Irish people. It is extremely concerning that the Government seems to be dead set on dismantling the triple lock and neutrality protection on deployment of Irish Defence Forces abroad. The argument that abolishing the triple lock is vital for sovereignty is complete nonsense, in my view. If the Government is really concerned about sovereignty, then the obvious thing it should do is put it to the people and have a referendum on whether the public favour the abolition of the triple lock. Neutrality has been a defining characteristic of our foreign policy, and it has allowed Ireland to punch above its weight significantly on the world stage. Ireland will always be a small country. We will never be a major military power but we have been able to exercise influence way beyond our size because of our reputation as peacekeepers and the dedication of our Defence Forces on UN missions abroad.

The triple lock is a protection that ensures that when Irish peacekeepers are deployed abroad, it will only happen on the basis of international law and not in any kind of adventurism. We are clearly living in a dangerous and volatile world and Ireland's place in the world must be as a country that stands up for international law. At a time when we see international law being dismantled by the big powers, our military neutrality is centrally important and must be protected. If the triple lock were removed, Irish troops could be deployed to any situation that the Government of the day sees fit. The Government will have a position of getting rid of the triple lock, the Opposition - this side of the House - will have a view to maintain the triple lock, and there will be that debate. Ultimately, why is the Government so fearful of putting the question of getting rid of the triple lock to the people? Let the people decide by having a referendum. I ask that the Minister come here to have that debate and ask him why there will be no referendum on the triple lock.