Latest news with #Defence(Amendment)Bill2025
RTÉ News
4 days ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Cttee hears Triple Lock dilutes Ireland's sovereignty
An Oireachtas committee has heard that the Triple Lock dilutes Ireland's sovereignty and undermines the UN Charter. The Joint Committee on Defence and National Security is debating the legislation that would remove the need for UN approval when deploying more than 12 members of the Defence Forces overseas. The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 would remove the Triple Lock when they are serving as part of an international force. Former TD Cathal Berry, a former army ranger, said that the Triple Lock "absolutely" dilutes Ireland's sovereignty. He said that, currently, Ireland is giving some of its "democratic power" to "kings and queens and authoritarian rulers and wannabe dictators all over the world". The UN Charter encourages regional oversight of peacekeeping which, he said, the Triple Lock undermines. Major General Maureen O'Brien (Retired) said that when she was selecting from the 119 nations which contribute to UN forces, whether a country was neutral or had a Triple Lock was "never a consideration". It is seen only as a "national issue". Major General O'Brien deployed overseas nine times, eight times with the UN. She led a multinational force of 1,100 that oversaw a ceasefire between Israel and Syria and said that impartiality was essential in dealing with both sides. From UN headquarters she oversaw all peacekeeping deployments. She told the committee that the Triple Lock prevents Ireland from deciding where to deploy its peace troops. "We cannot make our own decisions. We are dependent on five countries telling us whether we can deploy. I think that reduces our sovereignty. And perhaps our neutrality as well," she said. "12 troops isn't enough to do anything," she said. "You need at least 50 people." General Kieran Brennan (Retired) said he supports the proposed changes to the Triple Lock, as countries such as Gaza, Ukraine and Congo are crying out for peacekeepers. "No, I've no reservations," he replied, when asked if he had concerns over there being sufficient safeguards in the legislation. Colonel Colm Doyle (Retired) said that Ireland has the longest unbroken record "of any nation" for sending troops on UN peacekeeping missions, something he described as "noble". He said that claims that changes to the Triple Lock would undermine neutrality were "greatly misjudged". The UNSC is flawed, he said, as Ireland's participation on peacekeeping "can effectively be held hostage" by any permanent member of the security council. Labour TD Duncan Smith cautioned against Ireland turning its back on the UN which is greatly weakened. Major General O'Brien told the committee that when a country provides personnel to the UN, it must sign a Statement of Unit Requirements. This is a contractual agreement covering finances and all conditions of the troops' deployment. For Irish personnel, the statement always includes a provision that military command and control remains with the Irish unit at all times.
RTÉ News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Annual review needed if Triple Lock removed, committee will hear
Without the Triple Lock mechanism in place, any future Irish peacekeeping missions should be subjected to an annual review to ensure they align with the UN Charter, an Oireachtas committee has been told. Professor Ben Tonra, of the UCD School of Politics and International Relations, said the Government must establish robust mechanisms to guarantee that overseas missions align with the UN Charter and international law. Legislation to reform the Triple Lock is before the Oireachtas Committee on Defence and National Security for pre-legislative scrutiny. The General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 would remove the need for UN Security Council and General Assembly approval when deploying more than 12 members of the Defence Forces overseas when they are serving as part of an international force. Professor Tonra will tell the committee that the Government should consider whether democratic oversight of an overseas missions ends with the initial approval. He said an annual review mechanism could empower the Dáil to monitor ongoing missions to ensure they remain within the scope of peacekeeping, conflict prevention and support for international security. The legislation states that a contingent of the Defence Forces can be dispatched outside the State where there is Government approval along with a resolution passed by the Dáil. However, a subsequent Dáil resolution is not required when deploying a replacement contingent. A Dáil resolution will also not be necessary when the Defence Forces contingent deploying abroad has 50 members or less. Prof Tonra will also suggest that any overseas mission should be subjected to a formal legal review before approval to ensure that it is consistent with the UN Charter and international law. This review could be carried out by the Attorney General or an independent counsel, he said. "With greater flexibility comes greater responsibility. If we are no longer to rely on the Security Council as the gatekeeper of legitimacy, if we are finally to remove the veto given to the five permanent members of the Security Council over Ireland's overseas military deployment, we must establish robust mechanisms of our own," he said. "The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 is a significant acknowledgement that Ireland's defence posture is evolving and needs to change in an increasingly volatile region and less stable world. "The Bill's proposals do enhance the flexibility of Government in dealing with an international crisis that requires military forces to underpin peace or guarantee security. "With that flexibility, however, comes greater responsibility "If - as proposed - UN Security Council members are not to serve as gatekeepers to overseas deployment of Irish peacekeepers, then the Government - and opposition parties - are required to step up to specify by what precise mechanism such deployments will continue to reflect Irish foreign policy values and interests," Prof Tonra will say. The draft legislation is being examined over a period of eight weeks, after which a bill will be sent for Government approval.
RTÉ News
14-06-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Dublin rally urges Govt to protect Ireland's neutrality
Demonstrators have marched through Dublin calling on the Government to protect Ireland's neutrality. Around a thousand people walked from the Garden of Remembrance to Leinster House chanting "Save our neutrality, keep our Triple Lock". Around a thousand people marched through Dublin city this afternoon calling on the government to protect Ireland's neutrality. The protest was led by Opposition and Independent TDs, peace and anti-war groups and Palestine solidarity groups. It arises from Government plans for new legislation that would change how Ireland decides to deploy members of the Defence Forces abroad to serve on international peacekeeping missions. The General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 would remove what is known as the Triple Lock. Under the current system, Ireland cannot send peacekeepers overseas without the go ahead from the United Nations, the Government and the Dáil. The Government's plan is to take away the requirement for the UN's go ahead. "We've a proud [peacekeeping] tradition ... why should we ask Vladimir Putin, a brutal aggressor for his permission as to where Irish men and women can go to peacekeeping. That is an out-of-date concept," Tánaiste Simon Harris said previously. The plan would also increase the number of troops that can be deployed without a Dáil vote from 12 to 50. The draft legislation will be examined over a period of eight weeks, after which a bill will be sent for Government approval. This proposal has faced strong criticism from opposition politicians, who say the move undermines Ireland's neutrality.
The Journal
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
New Defence Bill: Suspensions of military personnel and raft of provisions for foreign missions
THE BILL FOR new defence legislation allowing for the suspensions of military personnel under investigation by gardaí and the scrapping of the Triple Lock has been published. The General Scheme of the new Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 was published last week by the Government. The 41 page document outlines the changes to the statute governing how Defence Forces personnel are deployed on foreign missions, interact with international organisations and how discipline is dealt with across the military. The proposed legislation will begin its legislative scrutiny this Thursday and it is expected to be passed through the Oireachtas by the summer recess. Suspensions One of the key measures to be introduced is around how military members can be suspended from service by the Chief of Staff if they are under investigation. This solves an issue around enlisted members and officers who are in trouble with civilian authorities – including in cases where they are charged, but not yet convicted of a serious criminal offence. It also obliges personnel to tell their commanding officer if they are under investigation in connection with a criminal offence. They must also keep that officer informed of the progress of the investigation. The law provides for the Minister for Defence to make regulations around suspensions. The lack of a legal basis for suspensions was identified in the Ward Report . A temporary fix was identified in which soldiers would be placed on leave. This new power, similar to that of the garda commissioner, would be used by the leader of the military. Peter Ward, a senior counsel, was commissioned by the Government in the wake of the Cathal Crotty case . Crotty was a soldier who was convicted of a serious assault on Limerick woman Natasha O'Brien. Advertisement There was another case identified by The Journal in which a naval service member was not dismissed after an assault conviction . The Ward report identified that there was a problem of military personnel not telling their commanding officer that they were before the courts or under criminal investigation. The Ward report had identified that there was a problem of data sharing between State entities such as gardaí and the courts service. Triple Lock axed The new Bill would also codify how Irish troops are deployed – removing the so-called Triple Lock measure which only allows deployment of troops if the UN Security Council makes a resolution and that this must be matched by Government approval and a vote of the Dáil. It would end that and introduce a new system where the Government decides if the mission fits the UN Charter and in general international law. It would then be sent to the Dáil for a vote. A number of provisions look at the Defence Forces involvement with foreign operations, training missions and liaisons with military orientated foreign groups such as the United Nations, European Union and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The Bill defines an 'international force' as a body established, led or controlled, the UN, OSCE, EU or other regional groups. While NATO isn't specifically identified in the Bill there is a subsection which states 'any other regional arrangement or body'. One of the key provisions is that it will increase automatic despatches of troops from 12 personnel to 50. The Journal understands one example of this is the deployment of a team of Army Ranger Wing (ARW) operators and their support staff on hostage rescues or close protection duties. In the past the ARW has provided security at embassies and there is a provision in Head Seven which makes this possible – it is understood that Military Police are also being considered in the military for this role. The Bill also said that Irish troops can take part in counter narcotics operations and participation in training or in sporting events. The Bill states that any international force the Defence Forces is participating in would be for the 'purposes of peace-keeping, conflict prevention, and strengthening international security' – it would have to be consistent with the principles of the UN Charter. The force, the Bill states, will 'contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Bill to scrap UN approval on sending troops overseas to begin pre-legislative scrutiny
Draft legislation scrapping the requirement for UN approval to send Irish Defence Forces abroad and increase the number of personnel that can be dispatched, from 12 to 50, without a Dáil vote has been published. The so-called triple lock demands that any deployment overseas above 12 soldiers must have Government, Dáil, and UN approval. The General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 is due to begin pre-legislative scrutiny this Thursday, with the Government hoping to have this process completed before the summer recess. The proposal to remove the UN block on Ireland sending troops aboard on a peacekeeping mission is being resisted by opposition parties. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said earlier this month that the party would 'fight like hell' to stop the Government's plans, adding that it would "defend" the policy of neutrality. Neutrality is not mentioned in the bill and there are no provisions in it that have a legal impact on the Constitution, which states that Ireland cannot join an EU 'common defence'. The Government has said that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, which includes Russia, should not have a veto over a decision of a sovereign nation such as Ireland on where its troops can go. It has also said the scrapping of the veto will not impact the policy of military neutrality. Ireland is thought to be unique in requiring, in law, UN approval to deploy its troops abroad. Head six of the Defence Bill states that a contingent or members of the Defence Forces can be dispatched and deployed outside the State 'as part of an International Force' on foot of a Dáil resolution approving the dispatch. It says that a subsequent resolution is not required for a replacement contingent. In addition, it states that a resolution is not required to send a contingent of 'not more than 50 members', which reflects the size of a platoon and support. 'International force' It states the definition of an 'international force' is a body established, led, or controlled by the UN; Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe; EU; or any other regional arrangement that operates in a manner consistent with the UN Charter and international law. It states the international force will operate for the 'purposes of peace-keeping, conflict prevention, and strengthening international security' consistent with the principles of the UN Charter. It adds that the force will 'contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security', in conformity with the principles of justice and international law. Head seven covers the dispatch of personnel abroad for reasons other than an international force. New reasons included in the 2025 bill are: Military close protection duties or security duties in high-risk environments, including Irish embassies and ministers travelling to such regions; Undertaking humanitarian tasks or civilian evacuation operations of Irish citizens from high risk and/or volatile security environments; Participating in international operations to counter illicit drug trafficking by sea and air. The provision says the defence minister may also authorise dispatch of personnel abroad for training or participation in sporting events. A separate provision of the bill updates the law on the suspension of enlisted members and officers — including in cases where they are charged, but not yet convicted of a serious criminal offence. It also obliges personnel to tell their commanding officer if they are under investigation in connection with a criminal offence and to keep them updated on developments. The law provides for the minister of defence to make regulations covering procedures regarding suspensions. The chair of the Oireachtas committee on defence and national security, Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh, has indicated that the eight weeks allotted for pre-legislative scrutiny may not be enough.
