Calls for more safeguards on deployment of Irish troops
The Oireachtas Committee on Defence and National Security has been conducting pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill which would give effect to the removal of the Triple Lock which governs the deployment of defence forces personnel overseas.
The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 also proposes to increase the number of troops that can be deployed overseas without a Dáil vote from 12 to 50.
In its report published today, the Oireachtas Committee makes 27 recommendations, however it does not issue a view on whether the Triple Lock should be removed or retained.
Under existing rules, any foreign deployment of 12 or more Irish Defence Forces personnel can only take place when it has been approved by the Dáil, the Government and has received a United Nations mandate.
The Government is seeking to remove the UN approval for an operation as it has argued that this means that the UN Security Council has a veto on Irish troop deployment.
Most opposition parties have strongly opposed the move.
The report also calls for an enhanced role for the Oireachtas and the Committee on Defence and National Security specifically in both the approval and scrutiny of Irish overseas deployments with international forces.
This includes a regular renewal of mission mandates, requiring both Government and Dáil approval, as well as a formal annual review by the Committee on Defence and National Security of all Irish deployments with international forces.
Committee chairperson Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh said there was direct conflict between the opposition members of the Committee and Government members on the question of a link between the Triple Lock and Irish neutrality.
"The Opposition were very concerned about the impact that removal of the Triple Lock on Irish neutrality while Government parties thought it wouldn't have any impact."
She also criticised the amount of time allocated for pre-legislative scrutiny.
The Bill will go to the Dáil and Seanad in the Autumn.
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