Sligo Councillors vote not to oppose abolition of triple lock

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

A motion brought by Cllr Declan Bree calling on Sligo County Council to express its dismay and opposition to the Government's proposal to abolish or amend the Triple Lock, which governs the deployment of Irish Defence Forces personnel overseas, was defeated by eight votes to five when it was put to a vote at the October meeting of Sligo County Council.

Giving some background to his motion, Cllr Bree spoke about the “turbulent” times we live in as he referenced, “Israel's war of genocide, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and a volatile and dangerous President in the White House who is prepared to support the sale of armaments to war torn regions all over the globe. Today more and more people are becoming deeply concerned about increasing militarisation in the world and the growth of the military industrial complex.”

Cllr Bree argued the ‘triple lock’ – which means that Irish Defence forces can only be deployed on overseas missions that have been approved by the government, Dáil Éireann and have a UN mandate – is a central component of Irish neutrality.

“Removing the Triple Lock as is now being proposed by the government would be a betrayal of the commitments of previous Irish Governments regarding the Nice Treaty,” argued Cllr Bree.

The motion was debated by the Councillors with the chamber divided. Cllr Gino O’Boyle offered his support for the motion while Cllr Fergal Nealon spoke strongly against the motion.

Cllr Nealon argued, “The proposed amendments in no way impact our neutrality.” He added, “Putin’s Russia has the power to veto Ireland’s role in a peacekeeping mission even if our own government decided it.”

Cllr Nealon argued the triple lock no longer serves its original intended purpose and a double lock consisting of the government and Dáil would be suficient.

"Ireland should trust its own institutions not vetos from foreign governments.”

Cllr Arthur Gibbons expressed his support for the motion saying, “The triple lock system has worked right until now. I think we need to be strong enough to hold on whatever mechanisms to maintain our neutrality.”

Cllr Thomas Walsh voiced his opposition to the motion when he said, “This will have no effect on Irish neutrality. Irish foreign policy needs to reflect where the world is today.”

Cllr Donal Gilroy also took issue with the motion, or one word of the motion. “I have difficult with one word – ammend. Whether it is Trump, Putin, King Charles saying where Irish troops go abroad, I can’t support that motion.”

Cllr Bree concluded the debate saying, “The triple lock has served Ireland well and it has served the world well.”