Latest news with #Defence(Amendment)Bill2025
RTÉ News
30-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Calls for more safeguards on deployment of Irish troops
A cross-party group of TDs and senators has recommended additional safeguards on the deployment of Irish troops abroad including a legal review by an independent body. The Oireachtas Committee on Defence and National Security has been conducting pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill which would give effect to the removal of the Triple Lock which governs the deployment of defence forces personnel overseas. The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 also proposes to increase the number of troops that can be deployed overseas without a Dáil vote from 12 to 50. In its report published today, the Oireachtas Committee makes 27 recommendations, however it does not issue a view on whether the Triple Lock should be removed or retained. Under existing rules, any foreign deployment of 12 or more Irish Defence Forces personnel can only take place when it has been approved by the Dáil, the Government and has received a United Nations mandate. The Government is seeking to remove the UN approval for an operation as it has argued that this means that the UN Security Council has a veto on Irish troop deployment. Most opposition parties have strongly opposed the move. The report also calls for an enhanced role for the Oireachtas and the Committee on Defence and National Security specifically in both the approval and scrutiny of Irish overseas deployments with international forces. This includes a regular renewal of mission mandates, requiring both Government and Dáil approval, as well as a formal annual review by the Committee on Defence and National Security of all Irish deployments with international forces. Committee chairperson Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh said there was direct conflict between the opposition members of the Committee and Government members on the question of a link between the Triple Lock and Irish neutrality. "The Opposition were very concerned about the impact that removal of the Triple Lock on Irish neutrality while Government parties thought it wouldn't have any impact." She also criticised the amount of time allocated for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Bill will go to the Dáil and Seanad in the Autumn.
Irish Examiner
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Committee calls for clarity on Government proposals to change triple lock
Further safeguards and clarity are needed in the Government's draft laws to change Ireland's system for deploying troops abroad, a committee has recommended. The Joint Committee on Defence and National Security published a report into the Government's proposals to change the 'triple lock', which is the requirement for Government, Dail and UN approval to send more than 12 Irish soldiers overseas. The main change would see the need for formal UN approval for such missions removed and replaced with a stipulation that the Defence Forces deployment would be in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. Irish troops on parade at Camp Shamrock near the border with Lebanon and Israel (Niall Carson/PA) The Government has argued this will prevent the permanent members of the UN Security Council — Russia, China, the UK, the US and France — from vetoing Irish peacekeeping missions. Critics see it as an erosion of Irish neutrality and a move towards European militarisation. The Government's Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 also looks to expand on the basis for Irish soldiers being dispatched outside the State. In its report published on Wednesday, the committee makes 27 recommendations asking for further safeguards or clarity on the draft changes. This includes a call to define what 'strengthening international security' means in the context of the Bill. It said that the legislation should specify that the phrase will not include the taking part in missions where cluster munitions or anti-personnel mines are used. 'The Joint Committee recommends that the legislation potentially explore definitions for how the terms 'conflict prevention' and 'strengthening international security' will be interpreted in Ireland and outline clear parameters and safeguards for deployment in these cases,' it said. It also recommended that 'at minimum' an independent legal review should be carried out before Irish troops are deployed abroad with an international force. The findings should be made available to Oireachtas members, and a version 'redacted where necessary' is made public. The committee also recommends that the proposals to increase the number of Irish troops allowed to be deployed without Dail approval from 12 to 50, should include 'at a minimum, oversight provisions' from two committees: defence and foreign affairs. Ireland has been taking part in UN peacekeeping missions since 1958 and the triple lock has been in place since 1960.
Irish Daily Mirror
30-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Committee calls for clarity on Government proposals to change triple lock
Further safeguards and clarity are needed in the Government's draft laws to change Ireland's system for deploying troops abroad, a committee has recommended. The Joint Committee on Defence and National Security published a report into the Government's proposals to change the 'triple lock', which is the requirement for Government, Dáil and UN approval to send more than 12 Irish soldiers overseas. The main change would see the need for formal UN approval for such missions removed and replaced with a stipulation that the Defence Forces deployment would be in accordance with the UN Charter and international law. The Government has argued this will prevent the permanent members of the UN Security Council – Russia, China, the UK, the US and France – from vetoing Irish peacekeeping missions. Critics see it as an erosion of Irish neutrality and a move towards European militarisation. The Government's Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 also looks to expand on the basis for Irish soldiers being dispatched outside the State. In its report published on Wednesday, the committee makes 27 recommendations asking for further safeguards or clarity on the draft changes. This includes a call to define what 'strengthening international security' means in the context of the Bill. It said that the legislation should specify that the phrase will not include the taking part in missions where cluster munitions or anti-personnel mines are used. 'The Joint Committee recommends that the legislation potentially explore definitions for how the terms 'conflict prevention' and 'strengthening international security' will be interpreted in Ireland and outline clear parameters and safeguards for deployment in these cases,' it said. It also recommended that, 'at minimum', an independent legal review should be carried out before Irish troops are deployed abroad with an international force. The findings should be made available to Oireachtas members and a version 'redacted where necessary' is made public. The committee also recommends that the proposals to increase the number of Irish troops allowed to be deployed without Dáil approval from 12 to 50, should include, 'at a minimum, oversight provisions' from two committees: defence and foreign affairs. Ireland has been taking part in UN peacekeeping missions since 1958 and the triple lock has been in place since 1960. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Sinn Féin to fight Government ‘line by line' on reforms to Triple Lock
Today at 11:23 Sinn Féin will fight Government 'line by line' on its so called Triple Lock Bill, TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said. The General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 looks to reform Ireland's Triple Lock, which requires a UN resolution as well as a vote of the Dáil and Government approval to deploy Irish Troops. Register for free to read this story Register and create a profile to get access to our free stories. You'll also unlock more free stories each week. Already registered? Log In
RTÉ News
01-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Cttee hears Triple Lock dilutes Ireland's sovereignty
An Oireachtas committee has heard that the Triple Lock dilutes Ireland's sovereignty and undermines the UN Charter. The Joint Committee on Defence and National Security is debating the legislation that would remove the need for UN approval when deploying more than 12 members of the Defence Forces overseas. The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 would remove the Triple Lock when they are serving as part of an international force. Former TD Cathal Berry, a former army ranger, said that the Triple Lock "absolutely" dilutes Ireland's sovereignty. He said that, currently, Ireland is giving some of its "democratic power" to "kings and queens and authoritarian rulers and wannabe dictators all over the world". The UN Charter encourages regional oversight of peacekeeping which, he said, the Triple Lock undermines. Major General Maureen O'Brien (Retired) said that when she was selecting from the 119 nations which contribute to UN forces, whether a country was neutral or had a Triple Lock was "never a consideration". It is seen only as a "national issue". Major General O'Brien deployed overseas nine times, eight times with the UN. She led a multinational force of 1,100 that oversaw a ceasefire between Israel and Syria and said that impartiality was essential in dealing with both sides. From UN headquarters she oversaw all peacekeeping deployments. She told the committee that the Triple Lock prevents Ireland from deciding where to deploy its peace troops. "We cannot make our own decisions. We are dependent on five countries telling us whether we can deploy. I think that reduces our sovereignty. And perhaps our neutrality as well," she said. "12 troops isn't enough to do anything," she said. "You need at least 50 people." General Kieran Brennan (Retired) said he supports the proposed changes to the Triple Lock, as countries such as Gaza, Ukraine and Congo are crying out for peacekeepers. "No, I've no reservations," he replied, when asked if he had concerns over there being sufficient safeguards in the legislation. Colonel Colm Doyle (Retired) said that Ireland has the longest unbroken record "of any nation" for sending troops on UN peacekeeping missions, something he described as "noble". He said that claims that changes to the Triple Lock would undermine neutrality were "greatly misjudged". The UNSC is flawed, he said, as Ireland's participation on peacekeeping "can effectively be held hostage" by any permanent member of the security council. Labour TD Duncan Smith cautioned against Ireland turning its back on the UN which is greatly weakened. Major General O'Brien told the committee that when a country provides personnel to the UN, it must sign a Statement of Unit Requirements. This is a contractual agreement covering finances and all conditions of the troops' deployment. For Irish personnel, the statement always includes a provision that military command and control remains with the Irish unit at all times.
