7. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline the proposal to remove the triple lock protection for approving overseas deployment of Irish troops; the protections to be put in place to ensure the integrity of Irish peacekeeping operations is maintained in the absence of UN approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6399/25]

Sentiment score: 0.30

Irish neutrality is held dear by the people of Ireland. I am sure that, like mine, the Tánaiste's inbox is reflective of concerns about it. As we know, a proposal has gone to Cabinet to remove the triple lock. This is connected to neutrality. Will the Tánaiste please outline the proposal to remove the triple lock protection for approving overseas deployment of Irish troops? How does he propose to protect the integrity of Irish peacekeeping troops' operations maintained in the absence of UN approval?

Sentiment score: 0.36

It is great to hear the Tánaiste assert that he values neutrality. I appreciate it has not been a hidden reality. There is no hiding the fact the Government has put this on the table for quite a while. It is also a reality that both Government parties have moved their position from recognising the integral part played by the triple lock in Irish neutrality to now being on record as saying this is not the case and, similarly, walking away and retreating from what we have seen in a commitment to the multilateralism the UN mechanism offers towards one which now suggests it is not necessary. What will fill the void if the UN Security Council is so problematic? I believe it should be fixed from within the UN. If the Tánaiste is suggesting the UN is not required as part of the triple lock, what will be the third component in addition to the Government and this Chamber?

Sentiment score: 0.16

The vetoes and examples that have been used are completely exaggerated. Even in the hypothetical conversations we have been having in the last couple of weeks about peacekeepers potentially travelling to Ukraine in the scenario that peace is agreed there, I will always acknowledge that of course we would do so when that is agreed by both Ukraine and Russia. That points to the multilateralism that the UN holds. I will ask the question again. What efforts are being made to fix this from within the UN? I appreciate the Tánaiste is saying he does not think Russia would do so, but what efforts have been made? Have discussions and debates even been attempted by diplomats to try to find ways to maintain the multilateralism that is offered by the UN in our triple lock without having to walk away from the UN and try to find another replacement?

Sentiment score: 0.13