A three-tiered approval mechanism to authorise the deployment of troops to highly complex and volatile environments, including conflict zones, makes good sense. Yet in recent days the Irish government announced plans to bring legislation before the cabinet to undo this Triple Lock mechanism.

At the Seville European Council in June 2002 the other EU governments accepted Ireland’s National Declaration spelling out the Triple Lock as follows: “Ireland reiterates that the participation of contingents of the Irish Defence Forces in overseas operations, including those carried out under the European security and defence policy, requires (a) the authorisation of the operation by the Security Council or the General Assembly of the United Nations, (b) the agreement of the Irish Government and (c) the approval of Dáil Éireann in accordance with Irish law.”

The Irish government has strengthened ties with EU military structures and NATO in an apparent violation of Irish neutrality and in contravention of political and legal commitments made to the Irish people in the context of the Sevelle Declaration 2002, and the Nice and Lisbon treaties.

In March 2023, the government announced the withdrawal of Irish peace-keepers from the UN mission in the Golan Heights to ‘ensure that the Defence Forces have the capacity to fulfil their commitment to the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025’.

Roger Cole of PANA stated, “the Triple Lock is vital for preserving Ireland’s neutrality, particularly amid escalating global instability and conflict. In other words, the Triple Lock guarantees that troop deployment may only take place under the auspices of the UN system, as guarantor of international peace and security. Even more important, as a guarantor for Irish troops serving abroad, to be seen as an independent force and not supporting the geopolitical interests of any regional military alliance.”

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To confirm this Press Statement, contact…

Elizabeth Jennings, Communications Officer, PANA,

Tel 085 7232753

Roger Cole, Chairperson, PANA,

Tel 087 2611597

Padraig Mannion, Irish Language Spokesperson, PANA,

Tel 087 6911293

For more information:

Plans to Dismantle Ireland’s Triple Lock

https://www.facebook.com/PANAIreland/

https://www.pana.ie/

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