The Government has won a D\u00e1il vote on legislation to remove the triple lock, a change that would end the need for UN approval before Irish troops can be sent on peacekeeping missions.<\/p>\n
The Defence (Amendment) Bill passed second stage by 79 votes to 71 following a fractious debate.<\/p>\n
Minister for Defence Helen McEntee<\/a> told the D\u00e1il<\/a> that it was \u201cabsolutely crazy\u201d that five countries, the permanent members of the UN Security Council, have a say in where Ireland sends its military personnel.<\/p>\n She was speaking as she introduced the debate on the divisive Bill. The triple lock<\/a> requires UN approval (from the US, UK, France, Russia and China), as well as Oireachtas<\/a> and Government<\/a> support, before 12 or more members of the Defence Forces can be sent overseas with an armed international force or body.<\/p>\n McEntee said the changes contained in the proposed legislation were \u201cnecessary if we want to ensure that as a sovereign country, we have the independence and the ability to make our own decisions about where we deploy our troops\u201d.<\/p>\n The Opposition, united against the move, accused the Government of betraying the public and reacted angrily to a guillotining of the introductory second stage debate to under four hours. Green Party leader Roderic O\u2019Gorman said it was not a minor technical amendment but removed a core plank that shaped Irish defence policy for decades.<\/p>\n \u201cWhatever your view we can all agree that legislation of this magnitude warrants careful examination,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The Minister said the changes were necessary \u201cif we want Ireland to continue being a force for good in the world\u201d. She added: \u201cNo other country in the world has this mechanism. No other country in the world allows another country or a superpower to decide for them.\u201d<\/p>\n But Independent Ireland TD Michael Fitzmaurice said Ireland was relying on others for defence and could not operate its own naval vessels in Cork because of a lack of personnel. <\/p>\n \u201cAnd then we talk about ourselves as if we\u2019re going to be the messiah that\u2019s going to keep peace around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n He also suggested other forces might be at play. He asked \u201cwho\u2019s calling the shots. I\u2019d love to know what\u2019s the endgame in all of this. Who\u2019s promised what?\u201d<\/p>\n