The abolition of the triple lock would be the final nail in the coffin for Ireland\u2019s neutrality as we know it, according to Social Democrats defence spokesperson Sin\u00e9ad Gibney.<\/p>\n
Deputy Gibney made her comments as the Cabinet met today to sign off on the Defence Amendment Bill. The legislation will result in the removal of the triple lock \u2013 the mechanism that requires D\u00e1il and government approval, as well as a UN mandate, whenever more than 12 members of the Defence Forces are being deployed on overseas peacekeeping missions.<\/p>\n
She said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis government continues to mislead the public on why it wants to dismantle the triple lock \u2013 a central tenet of Irish foreign policy for decades. It is doing so under the guise of increased geopolitical volatility and conflict around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, the reality is that our country\u2019s ability to defend itself is in no way enhanced by the removal of the triple lock.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn fact, back in 2013, Miche\u00e1l Martin described the triple lock as a core part of Irish neutrality. Now his government is saying the opposite, claiming its removal will have no impact on our neutrality.<\/p>\n
\u201cPoll after poll has shown that neutrality is something the people of Ireland deeply value. But make no mistake \u2013 ending the triple lock will be the final nail in the coffin for Irish neutrality as we know it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government also raises Irish sovereignty as another excuse for abolishing the triple lock. This argument is difficult to stomach when it continues to allow US military flights into Shannon Airport.<\/p>\n
\u201cLike most Irish people, I am incredibly proud of our Defence Forces having the longest unbroken record of peacekeeping of any nation. But they have done so under the blue helmet and beret. Without a UN mandate, it is not peacekeeping \u2013 it is peace enforcement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWalking away from the UN will send a clear signal that we no longer care about multilateralism. That is why, along with other members of the Opposition, the Social Democrats will be strongly opposing this legislation.\u201d<\/p>\n
January 27, 2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The abolition of the triple lock would be the final nail in the coffin for Ireland\u2019s neutrality as we know it, according to Social Democrats defence spokesperson Sin\u00e9ad Gibney. Deputy Gibney made her comments as the Cabinet met today to sign off on the Defence Amendment Bill. The legislation will result in the removal of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":15144,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[407,7,497,679],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-defence-forces","category-press-release","category-sinead-gibney","category-triple-lock"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n