Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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111. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an update on proposed legislation to abolish the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18305/25]

Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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112. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the oversight mechanism that will be provided for in the proposed change to the triple lock to ensure deployments are in line with the “spirit of the UN charter”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18306/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 112 together.

The General Scheme of the Bill which would govern overseas deployments of the Defence Forces was agreed by Cabinet on 4th March last, and the pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS) process will commence once the Oireachtas Committees are established. That process takes approximately eight working weeks (excludes Easter and other holiday periods) and will provide the Oireachtas Committee with the opportunity to examine the Heads and to consult relevant stakeholders. As soon as this process is complete, it is intended that a draft Bill will go to Government before the summer recess. It is expected that the Bill will then go through the various stages in the Oireachtas thus providing ample opportunity to scrutinise and debate the content of the Bill.

The Bill will provide for the modification of the existing requirement regarding the ‘Triple Lock’ in relation to the despatch of the Defence Forces for service outside the State as part of an International Force. In effect, the requirement for a UN mandate will be removed. However, governing principles will be included in the legislation which will apply to any future deployments where operations must adhere to the principles of the UN Charter and international law. These principles will be refined to provide appropriate legal effect during the drafting process.

In addition, the Bill will also deal with the despatch of members of the Defence Forces outside the State for any purpose other than for the purpose of service with an International Force. Additional circumstances are being proposed for inclusion such as undertaking military close protection duties; and crisis management emergency evacuation of Irish citizens from volatile security environments.

Also, the Bill may also propose a new purpose of the participation in international operations to counter illicit trafficking by sea and air. This is primarily to facilitate potentially greater participation by Ireland in the Maritime Analysis and Operations, Centre (Narcotics)MAOC(N).

Finally, it is worth reiterating once again that the Government has been clear that we will not be changing Ireland’s policy of military neutrality, and the proposed changes, will do nothing to alter or undermine this policy, which is characterised by non-membership of military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements.