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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Triple lock and Irish neutrality

Summary

Mairéad Farrell challenged the Taoiseach over removing the triple lock, arguing that neutrality belongs to the people and asking that they be consulted. He rejected claims that he intends to dismantle neutrality and said a referendum is unnecessary because the triple lock is not in the Constitution. The exchange was repeatedly interrupted, with the Taoiseach and Chair disputing the conduct of Members.

Since the Taoiseach took office, he has been hell-bent on dismantling our neutrality. His first step on this is dismantling and scrapping the triple lock. Before he was Taoiseach, he believed in the centrality of the triple lock in terms of our neutrality and I completely agree with him on that. Since becoming Taoiseach, he has changed his mind. I find this very convenient. I ask him to ask the people whether they have changed their minds on the triple lock, something that was promised to them. Irish neutrality does not belong to the Taoiseach or to me, but to the people and the people should have their say on it. Will the Taoiseach put it to the people and ask them whether they want him to scrap the triple lock?

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Deputies

Hear, hear.

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I am not going to be intimidated or browbeaten by campaigns of untruths-----

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-----and falsehoods. I am not on any campaign that is intent on dismantling Irish neutrality. The triple lock is not in the Irish Constitution.

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We are aware of that.

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There is no need for a referendum to amend something that is not in the Constitution in the first instance.

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You know the promise you made.

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The Deputies knows this but they ignore it. This is about the campaign.

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No, it is about Irish neutrality.

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It is not about the truth and it is not about objectivity. I also have to say, through the Chair, that it is unacceptable the degree to which people on the Government side are constantly interrupted when we speak whereas we allow Members of the Opposition to speak without interruption, as I have on all occasions this afternoon.

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I did not interrupt.

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The reality of this is that there seems to be one rule for Sinn Féin and a different rule for everybody else in the House.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

It is the same rule for everyone, Taoiseach.

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It is not actually.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

Well, it is.

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In Northern Ireland we witnessed it during Covid-19 and so on like that.

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I have an issue with that.

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What I want to say is that my only commitment is-----

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You abandoned the nationalist community. As Fianna Fáil leader-----

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My only commitment is to peace-----

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-----like all that came before you, you abandoned them. Now neutrality.

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Sorry, Deputy. We have a problem here, a Cheann Comhairle.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

We do; you are out of time.

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It is not "out of time". The problem is the constant heckling-----

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You accused our party of being Nazi sympathisers.

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The problem is the constant heckling and interruption when I endeavour-----

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

I appreciate that, Taoiseach.

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There is no point appreciating it. There should be no Order of Business if this continues.

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

I have asked-----

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If this continues, there will be no Order of Business. I will not be turning up if I cannot say what I have to say. Just be on notice, a Cheann Comhairle.

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I did not interrupt the Taoiseach, to be very clear. It was a question that I asked-----

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Verona Murphy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

Deputy, resume your seat.

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-----and I am not intimidating. I have an issue with the Taoiseach saying that.

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