Government called on to hold referendum on Ireland's neutrality and triple lock

Eva Osborne

The government is being called on to hold a public vote on Ireland's neutrality.

The Defence Minister plans to bring in reforms to the 'triple lock' system for deploying Irish troops abroad.

However, Simon Harris said changing the process for deploying members of the Defence Forces will not impact the country's military neutrality.

Under the current system, Ireland cannot deploy any more than 12 Defence Forces peacekeepers overseas without a mission being approved by a vote of the UN Security Council, as well as approval by the Government and the Dáil.

Under the draft legislation, it is proposed to increase the number of troops who are sent on peacekeeping missions from 12 to 50.

However, Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said the proposed legislation puts Ireland's neutrality at risk.

"How we have best been able to exert out influence is as a country that understands the history of colonialism in so many countries around the world," he said.

"As a country that is not part of military alliance, that sees neutrality as vitally important, that values peace, and can speak out against breaches of human rights by governments and regimes across the world, whether friends or foe, or anything else."

If there were to be a referendum on the proposed changes to triple lock, what way would you vote? Let us know by answering our poll!