Louth councillors say ‘let the people decide’ on Triple Lock

By Olivia Ryan, The Drogheda Independent

Councillors in Louth have backed a motion defending the ‘Triple Lock’ mechanism, and called for any changes to be “put to the people to decide.”

The motion was brought by Cllr. Antoin Watters, who told the meeting he had almost 1,100 signatures from “concerned citizens’ who responded to a campaign by the Louth Neutrality Network, urging the government to protect the Triple Lock.

He outlined how this mechanism, which governs Ireland’s neutrality, has ensured Ireland’s participation in overseas missions would always require the approval from firstly: The Cabinet; secondly Dail Eireann and: that thirdly the mission would have a UN mandate.

He added that although Ireland is small country “we have been able to punch above our weight” in terms of the contribution to UN Peacekeeping Missions, and due to the respect for Ireland’s neutrality.

Cllr. Watters said decisions made by the current government would have implications for future generations and called on the council members to support the motion opposing any decision to abolish the Triple Lock.

Cllr. Pio Smith commended the motion, saying it was “important to have these discussions about foreign policy.” He also welcomed the engagement by the public on the matter.

But he said he couldn’t support the motion, saying: “You are either neutral or you’re not, there is no weakness or strength attached to it.”

He added that Ireland wasn’t politically neutral “as we support Palestine over Israel and we support Ukraine over Russia” saying that it was important to protect the sovereignty of our democratically elected government.

Cllr. Kevin Callan said neutrality is no longer “straightforward” citing the case of Russian vessels detected off the southern coast of Ireland. “We have no effective air cover, and no effective radar.”

He put forward an amendment to the motion, saying that: “In the event of any action by this or any future Government to endeavour to abolish or amend the Triple Lock, that the matter be put to the people of Ireland by way of a referendum in the interests of ensuring that the will of the people of Ireland is considered on the matter and that the people are the ultimate decision makers on this issue.”

Cllr. Marianne Butler seconded the amendment, saying: "it is simple, if the government is saying the Triple Lock doesn’t work, give us the alternative and put it to the people, let the people decide.”

She said the Triple Lock gave the people of Ireland “a lot of comfort that we weren’t going to be drawn into other wars,” but added “ A lot has changed, and we need something more robust.”