01-07-2025
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.
