Tánaiste Micheál Martin has signalled support for dropping the ‘triple lock’ policy for deploying the Defence Forces overseas saying it is “morally wrong” that an authoritarian power has a “de facto veto” on how Ireland reacts to international situations.
The remarks by Mr Martin come ahead of this summer’s National Consultative Forum on Ireland’s security policy.
Among the issues set to be considered by the forum is the triple lock, the system whereby any major Irish troop deployment abroad for peacekeeping or European Union missions requires the approval of the Government and the Dáil and the backing of a United Nations resolution.
Fine Gael want an end to the triple lock and have raised concern over the ability of countries such as Russia – a permanent member of the UN Security Council – to effectively veto potential Defence Forces missions.
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Some in Fianna Fáil such as MEP Barry Andrews also support dropping the policy.
However, the Green Party has been supportive of the triple lock staying in place, with leader Eamon Ryan previously saying it “supports our country well”.
Mr Martin, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, brought up the issue at the unveiling of a new book by Eoin Kinsella – The Irish Defence Forces 1922-2022.
He said a key theme of Mr Kinsella’s research is “the core role of the Defence Forces has been to respond to the domestic and international challenges confronting the republic they serve”.
Mr Martin mentioned Ireland’s “absolute commitment” to the core principles of the United Nation’s charter and how “protecting human rights and promoting peace became the core mission of our Defence Forces”.
He said the success of modern Ireland has been based on its position in the European Union and engagement with the wider world.
Mr Martin said: “Our sovereignty has been secured, and our ability to provide for our people is founded on the fact that we do not stand alone in the world.
“And the simple truth is that we cannot naively assume that because we have good intentions towards others, we do not need to protect ourselves and our values.
“Equally, it is absurd to assume that we cannot ever question any of our policies.”
On the issue of the triple lock – and in an apparent reference to Russia – Mr Martin said: “Personally, I think there is something morally wrong with the fact that an authoritarian and aggressive neo-imperialist power has a de facto veto on elements of how we as an independent republic react to any given situation.”
He also said: “Equally, we are serving no higher purpose by failing to be able to protect key infrastructure in our international waters – infrastructure which is central to supporting economic and social progress in our democracy.
“That is why I have proposed that in the coming months we hold an open discussion about the future of our defence policies.”
Mr Martin said: “Our values must always be the foundation of our policies, but we have an obligation to candidly review and reform where we are failing to meet the urgent challenges of today and the years ahead.”
