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Neutrality fight beckons over proposal to modify ‘triple lock’ on overseas troop deployments

Tánaiste wants to scrap need for UN approval before Irish military can be sent abroad on peacekeeping missions

Any mission of more than 12 Irish troops abroad must be cleared by the Government and a Dáil vote and have a UN mandate. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
Any mission of more than 12 Irish troops abroad must be cleared by the Government and a Dáil vote and have a UN mandate. Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins
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Pat Leahy
Mon Mar 03 2025 - 06:00

Tánaiste Simon Harris is to bring draft legislation to Cabinet on Tuesday to modify the triple lock on Irish troop deployment and remove the need for UN Security Council approval for peacekeeping missions abroad.

But what is the triple lock and is it being unlocked?

The triple lock is the name given to the tests which must be satisfied if Ireland is to commit more than 12 troops abroad.

Though it has been around for decades, it has been popularised only in the past two decades or so when successive governments pointed to it to reassure voters that European Union treaties, which contained provisions for common defence of the bloc, would not impinge on Ireland’s traditional neutrality. To that extent, it has come to be seen as something of a bulwark of Irish neutrality.

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The “triple” refers to the three elements of the test – any mission of Irish troops abroad must be cleared by a decision of the Government, a vote of the Dáil and have a United Nations mandate. The Government will now propose legislation which will remove the requirement for a UN mandate.

Instead, the Government would simply have to judge that any proposed mission is in tune with the principles of the UN. In essence, it would remove the requirement for the approval of an outside body and means that the Government alone will take the decision on the deployment of Irish troops abroad.

Why is this being proposed now?

The Government says that the de-facto position on the UN Security Council, where the five permanent members (the US, Russia, China, the UK and France) have a veto on any resolution, means that these countries – Russia is the one most frequently mentioned, for obvious reasons – in effect have a veto on this aspect of Irish foreign policy.

The change was signalled after a series of public forums on defence and security policy championed by Micheál Martin when he was Minister for Foreign Affairs in the second half of the last government.

But it is also being brought forward as a response to the dramatically changed security situation in Europe – and as a part of an effort to demonstrate that Ireland is beginning to take security and defence more seriously.

Does it affect Ireland’s neutrality?

Depends who you ask. The Government insists that it has no implications whatsoever for neutrality. Instead, it will argue, it frees Ireland to take part in peacekeeping missions or activities without being subject to agreement by Russia or China.

For example, in the event of peacekeeping missions in Gaza or Ukraine – which might very well not have a UN mandate – the status quo would prevent Ireland from participating.

Those opposed to the move will say it is another nail in the coffin of Irish neutrality, which they believe has been steadily eroded in recent decades. In effect, though, neutrality means whatever the government of the day says it means.