Triple lock neutrality
Deputy Ó Laoghaire challenged the Government’s move to reform the triple lock, saying it weakened neutrality and contradicted Ireland’s position on Ukraine. The Minister defended the changes as necessary adaptation to geopolitical realities, while both sides repeatedly interrupted each other and the Chair warned against disorder.
There were 80 submissions and 30 were chosen. If you cannot ask your question within the one-minute timeframe, do not ask for a slot in Questions on Policy or Legislation.
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I have heard the Minister and the Taoiseach say dozens of times that Ireland is military neutral but not politically neutral on Ukraine. That is a good position. I agree with it. There is no doubt in my mind that Russia is the aggressor in the conflict. Last night, the Taoiseach's office put out a statement that Ireland was committed politically, militarily and diplomatically. This comes at a time when the Government is dumping the much-valued triple lock neutrality protection. The Irish people believe in neutrality. Many wonder why the Government wants to get rid of this central part of our neutrality, the triple lock. Now for the very first time we have a Government saying that it is not militarily neutral. I want the Minister to tell the Irish people if the Irish Government no longer believes in Irish neutrality. I want him to give a direct answer to that question because the Irish people deserve an answer. Does this Government believe that Ireland should be militarily neutral?
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The Government has set out very clear priorities in terms of the reform of the triple lock legislation, which is central to the world as it has been changing in political and geopolitical contexts. We have been very clear that we are absolutely militarily neutral but we are not----
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Why did we not say that yesterday?
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To see Sinn Féin oppose the €90 billion going to Ukraine-----
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Why did that statement say what it said?
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-----shows what side is Sinn Féin on when it comes to the aggression----
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You know what side we are on. I was very clear. Why did you make that statement?
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---and some of the votes it has had in the European Parliament and so on. We are very clear-----
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You do not believe a word you are saying.
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-----around our position and we should not have a veto on our deployment of troops by Russia, China or others. We want to ensure that this evolves in the context of the reforms we are setting out.
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Why did the Government say that?