Bitter exchanges in Dáil over Triple Lock legislation

There have been bitter exchanges in the Dáil this afternoon ahead of the Government bringing forward legislation tomorrow to amend the Triple Lock.

Members of the Opposition held up signs while the Ceann Comhairle took to her feet to demand that they be put away.

Verona Murphy warned members of Sinn Féin and People Before Profit that they were out of order for continuing to display the A4 pieces of paper, each of which read "save neutrality".

After ringing her bell and standing up, they finally relented.

Deputies then criticised the duration of the debate which is to be held over three hours later, demanding that it be continued in another session.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett, Labour TD Duncan Smith and Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire all voiced their opposition to the Government motion.

Speaking outside the Dáil, Mr Boyd Barrett said: "The Government are planning this week to deal a very severe blow to Ireland's tradition of neutrality and they are trying to curtail debate on that because they know the vast majority of people in this country want us to retain and protect our neutrality."

McDonald calls for referendum on Triple Lock

Sinn Féin said the change is taking place without proper debate and it will move Ireland deeper into EU military structures aligned with NATO strategy.

Party leader Mary Lou Mary McDonald said the question must be put to a referendum to let the people have their say.

She added that neutrality is deeply connected with the values of the Irish people and adherence to international law is a safeguard against military adventurism.

The Taoiseach said that peacekeeping has been one of Ireland's most significant commitments to the rule of law and people want that to continue.

Mr Martin dismissed the notion that the Government would get involved in "military adventurism".

"I don't take lectures from you in terms of the conduct of foreign policy," the Taoiseach said to Sinn Féin deputies in the Dáil.

Mr Martin said that Sinn Féin could not give a "continental" about Irish neutrality for many decades.

He said the Opposition wants Russia, China and the US to be able to block Irish soldiers having a future role in peacekeeping in Lebanon.

Opposition parties have said that they will oppose the scrapping of the Triple Lock when legislation to amend it goes before the Dáil tomorrow.

Under the mechanism, the deployment of more than 12 members of the Defence Forces overseas requires Government, Dáil and UN approval.

This is, according to some, one of the most contentious commitments in the programme for Government.

Large swathes of the Opposition believe the removal of the need for UN approval for overseas missions is an erosion of this country's military neutrality.

The Government argues that the change is necessary in order to prevent some permanent members of the UN Security Council blocking Irish troops' participation in peacekeeping work.

The matter has caused internal angst within Fianna Fáil too.

Several TDs and senators could express their strong feelings on the matter when the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meets this evening.

Former minister for defence Willie O'Dea said this morning that a way should still be found to keep the deployment of Irish soldiers under the remit of the UN and international law.

Mr O'Dea said that he hopes to share some proposals on that front when his party meets after 5pm.

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FF TDs asked if they will 'disown' Triple Lock proponents of party's past

Some opposition politicians opposed to the scrapping of the Triple Lock held a joint press briefing at Leinster House this afternoon.

Tipperary South TD Seamus Healy of the Workers and Unemployed Action Group called on Fianna Fáil TDs to consider their position ahead of a parliamentary party meeting this evening.

"If there's a core Fianna Fáil value this is it. And the question is, are they going to disown their own founder, Eamon de Valera, one of the architects of Irish neutrality?

"Are they going to disown Bertie Ahern who put the second Triple Lock into the second Nice Treaty?

"Are they going to disown Brian Cowen, who put the Triple Lock into the second Lisbon Treaty?

"Are they going to disown Willie O'Dea, former minister of defence, who is opposed to this?

"Will the 20 TDs who signed Willie O'Dea's letter, will they stand up and oppose the abolition of the Triple Lock?

"I call on all Fianna Fáil TDs, and particularly those who are opposed and who are known to be opposed to the abolition of the Triple Lock to stand up and be counted."