Labour warns against removal of Triple Lock
Labour’s Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Deputy Duncan Smith, has expressed deep concern following comments by Simon Harris on the Government’s intention to remove the Triple Lock.
Deputy Smith said:
“The Triple Lock has served Ireland well for decades, ensuring that any deployment of our Defence Forces has the backing of both international legitimacy and democratic accountability. However, it is clear that this Government—and the last—has been intent on eroding this key safeguard of our neutrality.
“Labour has consistently said that any veto over Ireland’s foreign policy, whether from Russia, China, or a future Trump-led America, is concerning. However, simply scrapping the Triple Lock without a full public and political debate is not the answer. This is a major shift in how Ireland engages internationally, and the Government cannot be allowed to push it through without a serious discussion.
“There is no doubt that the global order is changing, and Ireland must be prepared to respond to crises quickly. If Government believes the current system is too restrictive in situations where a small number of Irish personnel need to be deployed then let’s have that conversation. But removing the Triple Lock entirely creates more uncertainty, not less.
“The international landscape is evolving, and Ireland must be able to navigate it effectively. But abandoning the Triple Lock is an unnecessary first step—one that could have serious long-term consequences for our neutrality. Labour is urging the Government to halt any attempt to weaken safeguards and engage in a full cross-party discussion on how we balance security with our commitment to neutrality.”