Wexford councillors oppose Triple Lock amendment as chair goes against his party to cast deciding vote
Wexford PeopleA motion opposing the amendment of Ireland’s ‘Triple Lock’ system has been passed by Wexford County Council (WCC) after cathaoirleach Councillor Joe Sullivan opted to vote against his own party.
The Triple Lock refers to Ireland’s method of sending Defence Forces Personnel overseas to serve as part of peacekeeping or peace enforcement operations. It requires UN approval, a decision by Government and a vote in the Dáil.
However, in May of this year, the government published a proposed amendment to the Defence Bill which would remove the requirement for UN approval when deploying members of the Defence Forces outside the State, thus ending the Triple Lock system.
At the July meeting of WCC, Councillor Jim Codd forwarded a motion requesting that the council express its opposition to the proposed changes. Arguing that any amendments to the current Defence Bill would “signify a breach of trust with the Irish electorate and a serious diminution of Irish neutrality”, Cllr Codd called upon his colleagues to support his motion.
Although the motion was swiftly seconded by Cllr Paddy Kavanagh there was some pushback from members of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
“The facts of the matter on the Triple Lock are that the government makes a proposal and it goes to the Dáil, no other representative from any country should have any say on a decision made in Ireland on what to do with our troops,” said Cllr Darragh McDonald (Fine Gael). “I trust the government, I trust all the people in the Dáil across all parties to make the right decisions, and I think they can act responsibly for the people of this country.”
While he was “glad” that Cllr McDonald had such trust in the government, Sinn Fein’s Tom Forde didn’t share that sentiment. Offering his support for the motion, Cllr Forde said, “This is an important safeguard for our neutrality. I’m glad Cllr McDonald has trust in our government in relation to this, I don’t.”
His party colleague Aoife Rose O’Brien argued that this was an issue “which should be discussed at every local authority meeting” and said she “would be very disappointed” if any of Wexford’s TDs members went against this motion.
Cllr John Dwyer was particularly strident in his support of the motion, arguing that removing the Triple Lock would see Ireland become an implement of the EU.
“It’s through small incremental steps that our neutrality will be taken,” he said. “If you look at the disgraceful behaviour of Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission) in supporting the genocide happening every single day in Gaza, then you will see exactly the direction the EU is taking. Let there be no doubt the EU wants an army it can deploy.
"It is obsessed with Putin and undermining and attacking Russia. I fully support this motion. Seán Lemass was an ardent advocate of neutrality and I would ask the Fianna Fáil members here to reflect on his views when considering this motion.”
One of those Fianna Fáil members had considered the motion and remained steadfast in her objections to it.
“If we maintain the Triple Lock, when peace comes to Gaza, we won’t be able to send peacekeeping forces there,” said Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy. “This is about peacekeeping, something we have honourably been doing for many, many years. There has been no UN peacekeeping mission mandated since 2014, none. And we are now living in a whole new world.”
Cllr John Fleming (also Fianna Fáil) described the motion as “stupidity” while Pip Breen (FF) said the Triple Lock was “not for purpose any more and has to go”.
With the chamber divided, Cllr Codd asked for a roll call on his motion but not before he took a sideswipe at his Fianna Fáil adversaries.
“This is a sad day, I’m mindful of Redmonditism rearing its head again,” he said. “I’d understand that in Fine Gael but now it seems to be in Fianna Fáil as well.”
He reckoned without Cllr Sullivan, though, who, on this occasion, chose not to follow the party line.
“I’m absolutely conflicted,” he said. “I hate war and anything which contributes to the death and destruction of human beings. We’ve had the Triple Lock in place for a number of years and it has served our country well. Ireland is one of the most respected international peacekeeping countries in the world, there is huge value in our neutrality, so this is a vote of conscience for me.,
"But I believe in the Triple Lock, and if I sit here and vote against something I believe in I am a fraud.”
The motion was subsequently put to a vote with Cllrs Vicky Barron (LAB), Jim Codd (Aontú), Craig Doyle (SF), John Dwyer (IND), Tom Forde (SF), Paddy Kavanagh (Wexford Independent Alliance), Leonard Kelly (IND), Marty Murphy (WIA), Aoife Rose O’Brien (SF), John O’ Rourke (IND), Michael Sheehan (IND), Joe Sullivan (FF), and Biddy Walsh (LAB) voting in favour.
On the other side, Cllrs Pip Breen (FF), Trish Byrne (FG), Anthony Donohue (FG), John Fleming (FF), Pat Kehoe (FG), Donal Kenny (FF), Garry Laffan (FF), Darragh McDonald (FG), Barbara Anne Murphy (FF), Bridín Murphy (FG), Frank Staples (FG), Robbie Staples (FG), and Oliver Walsh (FG) voted against.
With the vote tied at 13 apiece it was left to Cllr Sullivan, as cathaoirleach, to have the deciding say.
“I stand by what I said, “ he announced to much cheering from the chamber.