Taoiseach confirms plan to scrap 'triple lock' restriction

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

Taoiseach Simon Harris has said that Ireland can participate in debates about EU defence while remaining militarily neutral.

The Taoiseach said Ireland should not “shirk or shy away” from such debates and that there is an increased risk to all EU nations regardless of their military stance.

Speaking during his first attendance to the European Council, Mr Harris said he hoped legislative proposals to change the triple lock system would take place during the lifetime of this government.

He also emphasised that Ireland’s military neutrality would “remain”.

“Whether you’re a neutral state or a non-neutral state, or a military-aligned state, there are real risks in relation to our security right across the European Union,” he said in Brussels on Thursday.

“Those risks are apparent: we now see a war on the continent of Europe, but beyond that we see cyberattacks at an increasing level, as as one example.

“Ireland intends to remain absolutely militarily neutral, but that’s not in conflict with the idea of saying that we still wish to engage more in conversations about how we protect our people and our country, and how we protect member states.

“So, I don’t think Ireland should shirk or shy away from participating in debates whilst being very clear that we will remain militarily neutral.

“There’s nothing that I see here at a European level I think Ireland should be fearful of and I think Ireland should continue to be honest participants in those conversations.”

Mr Harris was asked about the triple lock system to approve Irish peacekeeping soldiers to be sent abroad.

The triple lock mechanism requires such Defence Forces operations to be approved by the Government, approved by Dáil, and mandated by the United Nations.

Mr Harris said: “In relation to the triple lock, the Tánaiste (Micheál Martin) has set out very clearly the Government’s position in relation to this, it seems to me to be observed that we would live in a world where effectively Russia would have a veto where we can send peacekeeping troops.

“So, the Tánaiste has outlined his intention to bring forward legislative proposals. He’ll do that in due course and I hope that’s something that can be done in the lifetime of this Government.

“That is not, let me be clear, because this is distortion at home time and time again, and when I say this it’s going to be distortion at home time and time again by my political opponents, that is not in any manner or means a move away from military neutrality, which Ireland intends to upkeep and remain.”