Neutrality and our triple lock is a serious element of our defence and foreign policy. Indeed, Irish people widely support our neutrality and are proud of it. I want to clearly say to the Minister that if she and the Government want to remove the triple lock, put it to the people by means of a referendum. Promises may not mean much to many Government politicians and, indeed, promises mean very little it seems to Fianna Fáil but to the rest of the country, promises matter. Fianna Fáil assured the public in 2009 that the triple lock would be maintained in order to pass the Nice treaty. Assurances were given to the Irish people. The triple lock was, therefore, essentially passed indirectly through a referendum. Now Fianna Fáil and, indeed, Fine Gael want to remove it. The triple lock will remove the UN Security Council veto, meaning the deployment of our Defence Forces will be effectively in the hands of two political parties. Increasingly in those two political parties, backbenchers are not listened to, particularly in Fianna Fáil. We are essentially giving control of our Defence Forces to two political leaders. That is what this is ultimately going to lead to. The context of this is very significant. Europe is on a path to militarisation and is rearming. European funding has been and is being directed away from social funding, agriculture and other areas and into rearming. It is increasingly going to be spent on guns and bombs. That is the truth. The ironically named "safe regulation" under the "ReArm Europe" plan offers Ireland incredible financial flexibility in terms of purchasing missiles. It is money for bombs. Where is the money and flexibility to address the housing crisis in the country? The Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, budget is going to see a significant cut as a result of this. If the Minister wants to see the triple lock gone and is so confident the Government has the support of the Irish people, put it to them by means of a referendum.

Sentiment score: 0.29