16 hours ago
Irish troop missions 'held hostage' by UN veto, says former army colonel
The requirement that any Irish international peacekeeping deployment must have the authorisation of the UN Security Council means Ireland can be 'effectively held hostage' by any of its five members, a senior retired army officer has said.
Former Colonel Colm Doyle – who has also served at UN HQ – told the Oireachtas Defence Committee that claims that the removal of the UN authorisation obligation would threaten Ireland's military neutrality were 'greatly misjudged'.
The committee is continuing hearings on the Defence Bill 2025 which proposes to scrap the requirement for UN approval to send Defence Forces abroad.
The 'Triple Lock' refers to three hurdles – Government, Dáil, and UN – that must be cleared before troops, beyond 12 personnel, can be deployed overseas.
The bill authorises Irish troops to take part in an 'International Force' for the purposes of peacekeeping, conflict prevention, and international security 'consistent with the principles of the United Nations Charter'.
It also plans to increase the number of personnel that can be sent overseas – from 12 to 50 – without the Government needing Dáil approval.
Col Doyle told the committee: 'On the subject of the triple lock and its retention or amendment which has become politically emotive, I find myself very surprised.
That this is in some way being described as a threat to our military neutrality is, in my view greatly misjudged and I do not support those opposing the measure.
He said the UN veto system reflects the 'realities' of global power dynamics, but said it also leads to 'deadlock' where the permanent five members' interests conflict.
'This illustrates one of the main flaws of the UN Security Council - that Ireland's involvement in international peacekeeping can effectively be held hostage by any one of the permanent five members' use of, or threat of the use of a veto,' he said.
"Surely we have the confidence, maturity, and political experience to make our own decisions for Ireland's overseas policy to evolve in response.'
Former Army Ranger Cathal Berry said the original purpose of the Triple Lock was 'to give Dublin a veto' over any Security Council order for overseas deployment, not to give "New York a veto over Dublin".
He said 'no other country, whether neutral or otherwise' require UN authorisation. But he said many parliaments have regard to it. He suggested the Oireachtas Defence Committee and the Attorney General could have a role in examining any proposed deployment.
Major General Kieran Brennan, retired, said the committee members faced a dilemma: 'Do we stand on principle and say no to overseas deployments unless there is an UN Security Resolution because of its supposed impacts on our neutral status or should the saving and enhancements of people's lives trump all else?
'With a dysfunctional UN Security Council are we destined to remain on the sidelines expecting others to intervene on our behalf? Accordingly, I support the proposals.'
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