Triple lock motion in Galway gets shot down – ‘I fail to see how it equates to neutrality’
Galway County Council has joined the growing list of chambers debating the future of the Triple Lock, but a motion to safeguard the policy failed after Cathaoirleach David Collins cast the deciding vote against it.
Sinn Féin councillor Martin McNamara tabled the motion, which sought to align the council with other local authorities calling for a referendum before any changes to the Triple Lock, the mechanism governing overseas deployment of Irish Defence Forces personnel.
Cllr McNamara told the chamber that the policy has ensured Ireland’s involvements continue to be “impartial” and removing it would be an added pressure on the country.
The motion stated: “That this Council expresses its strong opposition to the Government’s intention to abolish or amend the Triple Lock, which governs the overseas deployment of Irish Defence Forces personnel.”
It further warned that removing the policy “would represent a breach of trust with the Irish people and a serious erosion of Ireland’s neutrality” and called on the Government to put any changes to a public vote. If passed, the motion would have been forwarded to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and the Defence Minister.
At the November plenary meeting, councillors split evenly - 12 in favour, 12 against, with several abstentions. The deadlock forced Cathaoirleach Collins to intervene, and he voted against the motion.
The debate was dominated by Fine Gael members. Cllr Jimmy McClearn argued he “fails to see how the triple lock equates to Irish neutrality.”
He added: “I am not worried about this government, but I am worried about some collaborations in the future.”
“It’s too simplistic. Everything moves on.”
While acknowledging the “tremendous role” of Irish peacekeepers, Cllr McClearn sparked uproar when he remarked: “As Sinn Féin, I can understand why they would want Russia to have a role” in decisions on Irish troop deployments.
The discussion followed a lengthy intervention from Cllr Tomás Ó Currain, who also criticised the recent visit of British ambassador Kara Owens. Cllr James Charity seized on the point, arguing the Triple Lock is flawed: “We have spent so much time giving out about the ambassador b ut now we are willing to give them a veto vote. It’s a phenomenal waste of time.”
Galway City Council had faced a similar motion earlier this month, brought by Cllr Eibhlín Seoighthe, who recently resigned from the Social Democrats.
That debate collapsed when the chamber adjourned after nearly four hours, leaving half the agenda unfinished. A new plenary meeting has yet to be confirmed.
Cathaoirleach Collins summed up his position after the vote: “The national politicians are really the ones who should be dealing with this.”