Louth's Ó Murchú: Dismantling Triple Lock sends a 'dangerous signal'

Plans to dismantle the Triple Lock represent ‘a serious threat to Irish neutrality and risk undermining the proud tradition of Irish peacekeeping, which has come at an enormous personal cost to families in Dundalk’, Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has said.

Speaking in the Dáil during a heated debate on defence, the Louth TD highlighted the sacrifices of Irish peacekeepers, including Dundalk men Michael McNeela and Seán Rooney.

Deputy Ó Murchú said: “The people of Louth know only too well the sacrifices that have been made by Irish peacekeepers and their families. We think particularly of Michael McNeela and Seán Rooney, two men whose names will forever be associated with the courage and dedication of those who serve Ireland on international peacekeeping missions.

“Their families have paid an enormous price, and their sacrifices must never be forgotten. We owe it to them, and to all those who have served under the United Nations flag, to protect Ireland's proud and independent peacekeeping tradition.

“Ireland's reputation internationally has been built on our commitment to neutrality, international law and peacekeeping. That reputation is something we should be protecting, not undermining”.

Deputy Ó Murchú said the Government's determination to remove the requirement for UN authorisation for certain overseas Defence Forces deployments raised ‘fundamental questions about the future direction of foreign policy’.

He said the Triple Lock is ‘an important safeguard’.

He said: “Removing that safeguard sends a dangerous signal to the international community that Ireland is no longer secure in its commitment to neutrality and an independent foreign policy.

“At a time when international law is being disregarded and powerful states increasingly act as though might is right, the answer cannot be to weaken our commitment to multilateralism and the United Nations”.

The Louth TD said Ireland's history of occupation, colonialism and partition had helped shape the Irish people's strong attachment to neutrality and their opposition to military adventurism.

He said: “We know what imperial misadventure looks like. That history has given the Irish people a deep understanding of why an independent foreign policy matters.

“The Irish people have enormous respect for our Defence Forces and for those who have risked, and in some cases lost, their lives in the service of peace.

“The sacrifices of Michael McNeela, Seán Rooney and so many others deserve more than words of remembrance. They demand that we remain true to the principles of peacekeeping, international cooperation and respect for international law.”

Deputy Ó Murchú challenged the Government to put its proposals directly to the people but claimed they would not because ‘the Irish people value neutrality and fear being dragged away from an independent foreign policy in an increasingly dangerous world”.