The Irish people must have a vote to decide the future of the triple lock, according to Social Democrats Foreign Affairs and Defence Spokesperson Sinéad Gibney
Deputy Gibney was commenting as she announced that the Dáil will soon debate a Social Democrats’ motion which, if passed, would facilitate just that – a people’s vote, or plebiscite, on the issue.
Deputy Gibney said:
“Ireland joined the UN in 1955 and, in 1960, legislation was first passed to ensure that members of the defence forces could deploy on UN mandated peacekeeping missions.
“For more than 60 years, the blue beret of UN peacekeeping missions has been synonymous with Irish overseas missions. Throughout that time, members of the defence forces have served with distinction in a number of conflict zones.
“At the turn of the century, when previous governments were trying to pass the Nice and Lisbon Treaties, the triple lock was held out as a guarantee that Ireland’s policy of military neutrality would be retained, despite closer links being forged with the EU.
“Now, despite all of these solemn commitments, the current government is attempting to scrap the triple lock – and the requirement for peacekeeping missions to have a UN mandate – without any national debate on the issue having taking place.
“Given the importance of the triple lock, and its centrality to our neutrality, the Irish people deserve to have a say on its future. Instead of the government unilaterally dismantling the triple lock, we need a people’s vote on the issue.
“A plebiscite could be held quite quickly, given it is a net issue, empowering the Irish people to decide whether to keep, or scrap, the triple lock.
“The government, if they believe they are doing the right thing, have nothing to fear from a people’s vote. They simply need to make their case, that the triple lock is an anachronism, and see if the people agree with them.
“Plebiscites are quite rare, and held on matters of public importance, and there can be no doubt that a serious undermining of our longstanding policy of neutrality meets this test.
“On March 26th, the Dáil will debate a Social Democrats’ motion calling for such a people’s vote. I hope other parties, including government parties, will support our motion and facilitate this important national debate and vote on this issue.”
14 March, 2025