Triple lock and neutrality
After a gallery welcome, Senator Cosgrove warned against removing the triple lock, argued for maintaining neutrality, and called for a full debate or citizens’ assembly on the issue.
I welcome guests of Deputy Clendennen from the Dunkerrin history society. They are welcome to Seanad Éireann and I thank them for being here today.
Comment on this
I want to talk about the triple lock. I give huge credit to Senator Clonan, who has been a sound and constructive analyst of the danger of removing the triple lock.
I know it was to come before Cabinet today. I do not know the result of that but I am guessing it got full approval. I urge all in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and all supporting this, to rethink it. We are making a really big mistake here. The UN is not perfect and the Security Council is 100% not perfect and needs massive reform, but it is the best thing we have. If we get rid of the triple lock, it will be like a single lock because the Government always has a Dáil majority to go along with Cabinet approval.
There is a move towards militarisation in Europe, which I certainly am not comfortable with. Defence spending has increased in all European countries. Of course, we need to increase our spending in Ireland. The underinvestment in our Defence Forces has been really worrying. No one is doubting that but getting rid of this essential mechanism will compromise our neutrality and put it seriously at risk.