To oppose the government’s intention to abolish the Triple Lock

This Council expresses its dismay at and opposition to the government’s intention to abolish the Triple Lock, which governs the deployment of Irish Defence Forces personnel overseas. The Triple Lock has ensured that Ireland’s participation in overseas missions (with more than 12 defence personnel) would always require approval from: 1. the Cabinet 2. Dáil Éireann and 3. that the mission they are being deployed on would have a UN mandate either from the Security Council or the General Assembly. In 2001, the Irish people rejected the Nice Treaty over concerns that it would drag Ireland into EU military structures that would threaten our neutrality. To get the electorate to approve the EU Treaty, the government with the agreement of the other EU Member States, through a “solemn declaration” introduced the Triple Lock. This Declaration was reiterated following initial rejection of the subsequent Lisbon Treaty. Therefore, this Council rejects government’s plans to abolish or amend the Triple Lock, considering the proposal signifies a breach of trust with the Irish electorate and a serious diminution of Irish neutrality.