March 4, 2025: Tánaiste Simon Harris before a Cabinet meeting at Government Buildings. In the background are armed members of the Irish Defence Forces. RollingNews.ie

Ireland's Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris TD secured the approval of Government to reform the so-called ‘Triple Lock’ mechanism today, Tuesday, March 4.

As it stands, Ireland's 'Triple Lock' guarantees that no more than 12 Irish soldiers can be sent into battle zones without the permission of the Government, the Dáil, and the United Nations.

Amendments approved by the Cabinet on Tuesday will remove the power of the UN Security Council's permanent members to veto Ireland's "national sovereign decisions" while also "ensuring our [Ireland's] continued compliance with the highest standards of international law."

Under the draft proposals, "the number of Defence Force personnel that can be deployed as part of an overseas peace support operation without a Dáil Resolution will increase from 12 to 50," Ireland's Department of Defence said today.

The Bill is now being sent for pre-legislative scrutiny.

In addition to the changes to the Triple Lock, the Bill also includes draft proposals to amend provisions relating to the deployment of Defence Forces’ personnel in non-combatant evacuation operations.

"No way affects Ireland’s policy of military neutrality"

“The Irish people are rightly proud of the role that members of the Defence Forces have played in peacekeeping missions right across the world," the Tánaiste said after Tuesday's Government meeting.

"It’s a record that dates back to 1958 and one that has remained unbroken ever since.

"But under our current triple lock system, countries like Russia have the power to veto Ireland’s participation in missions via their role as permanent members of the UN Security Council.

"We don’t believe that Putin or other leaders should have a veto on whether our troops can be deployed.

"And that’s so why I’m pleased to secure Government approval today to reform the Triple Lock, as we committed to under the Programme for Government.”

The Tánaiste added: “We are living in a new era in Europe, in which Ireland also faces significant new security and defence challenges, and we must consider how best to respond.

"Ireland has a longstanding policy of military neutrality, meaning that we do not participate in military alliances or common or mutual defence arrangements.

"Let there be no doubt, the proposed amendments to this legislation in no way affects Ireland’s policy of military neutrality and it will ensure we remain fully consistent with the principles of the UN Charter and international law.”

Read more

"It should be put to the people"

Sinn Féin said on Tuesday that it will "oppose any attempts by Government to undermine Ireland’s neutrality."

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, the party's spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, said that the Triple Lock proposals are "not reform, or adjustment, or changes; it is an end to the policy designed to protect our neutrality."

He said: "The reality is that, under the Tánaiste’s proposals, regardless of his current intentions, Irish troops could be deployed anywhere, in any circumstances, provided that the government of the day had a Dáil majority."

He added: “In our view, if we begin to participate in missions that have no UN mandate, it is conceivable that other countries will question our military neutrality."

Ó Laoghaire pointed out that over the weekend, opinion polls reflected "the support that neutrality and, in particular, the Triple Lock neutrality protection has."

He continued: “The Triple Lock neutrality protection is a core component of Ireland’s independent foreign policy and is enshrined in national declarations to the Irish people by governments in advance of multiple European referendums.

“If the government wants to remove this protection, it should put it to the people.”

Read more

Veto power

During leaders' questions in the Dáil on Tuesday, Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty said: "Irish neutrality is based on a clear-sighted analysis of what role Ireland can best serve in the world. Removing the Triple Lock undermines the strong diplomatic influence Ireland has established over many generations."

Speaking to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Doherty said: "If the Taoiseach is so confident in his position of dismantling the Triple Lock and Irish neutrality, why not put it to the people? Let us ask the people in a referendum whether they cherish neutrality. Let the people decide."

Martin responded: "In respect of the triple lock, it is very clear to us that in an exercise of sovereignty, it should be the Oireachtas that decides primarily the peacekeeping missions that we send our military to, not Russia or any other member of the Security Council.

"Russia should not have a veto. China should not have a veto. The US should not have a veto over where we send our soldiers in the pursuit of peace.

"It is as simple as that."