Defence Minister Blames Opposition for Triple Lock Bill Delay

Helen McEntee accused the Opposition of stalling a key defence bill on Tuesday.

The Minister for Defence claimed Sinn Féin is deliberately frustrating the process of abolishing the triple lock. The bill would remove the requirement for a United Nations mandate before Ireland sends twelve or more Defence Forces members abroad with an armed international force.

McEntee wants the legislation enacted before the end of the year. She stated that the change is necessary for Ireland to maintain peacekeeping operations into 2027. The current UNIFIL mission in Lebanon, mandated in 1978, concludes at the end of this year.

The dispute centers on the scheduling of the committee stage. McEntee wrote to Rose Conway-Walsh, the Sinn Féin TD and chairwoman of the Oireachtas defence committee, in October. She indicated her availability to appear before the committee at the earliest possible date. Conway-Walsh has not set a date for hearings. She said the committee will hold a private meeting on November 12 to plan the process.

Government members of the committee have since requested an early date. Conway-Walsh declined, stating the matter needs to be dealt with in a thorough and transparent manner. In exchanges in the Dáil, McEntee accused Sinn Féin of filibustering. She said, "Your are clearly trying to frustrate it, to delay the time."

Several TDs speaking anonymously suggested that hundreds of amendments could be tabled to the bill. McEntee and Minister for State Thomas Byrne rejected the idea that the change would lead to Ireland joining NATO or a European Union defence pact. McEntee told the Dáil that Irish neutrality is based on non-military alliance. She cited Article 29.4.9 of the Constitution, which prevents Ireland from adopting EU decisions that align with a common defence including the state.

McEntee said she wants the Defence Forces to join an EU mission in Lebanon to support Lebanese state institutions. She acknowledged that if a force protection element emerges in that mission, changes to the triple lock would be required. She dismissed claims that Irish troops would fight alongside the Israel Defense Forces against Hizbullah, calling the narrative completely false. Disagreement also exists within the Fianna Fáil party. Former defence minister Willie O’Dea has drafted an amendment to retain a strong link to the UN. He said he hopes the Government will adopt the amendment during the committee stage. If it is not accepted, he said, the party will have to consider its options.