Defence Minister McEntee rejects claim triple‑lock removal ends neutrality

Defence Minister Helen McEntee has dismissed “rhetoric” suggesting that scrapping the triple lock for overseas deployments is intended to end Ireland’s neutrality or to join NATO.

McEntee was responding to former President Michael D Higgins’ weekend comments that the country was “sliding” into military alliances and that removing the UN authorisation requirement would allow the EU to dictate where Irish troops are sent.

Speaking to Irish troops on the UNIFIL peace‑keeping mission in southern Lebanon, the minister said the proposed change – ending the requirement for UN approval for deployments of more than 12 personnel – is about giving the government the ability to decide where Ireland contributes to international peace and security.

“There’s a lot of rhetoric and suggestions about forcing troops to go places. It will always remain an Irish decision,” McEntee said, adding that Ireland’s primary aim as a neutral state remains peace, stability and security.

She noted that any deployment must align with Ireland’s values, the UN Charter and international law, and that ending the triple lock does not alter military neutrality. McEntee also reminded that Irish troops have previously taken part in peace‑enforcement operations in Congo, Chad and Libya.

All opposition parties in the Dáil have opposed the bill to remove the triple lock, arguing it erodes military neutrality.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: Safi Erneste / Pexels.