Adam Schmitz analyses if the Triple Lock system will hold Ireland back in their upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
According to the Peace Research Institute Oslo, conflict in the world is at its highest since World War II. There’s conflict in Africa, Asia and right here at the doorstep of the European Union. Defence is a prime priority of European states and citizens, and in the lead up to Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union, defence is a hot topic, especially given the country’s much-discussed triple lock system.
The importance of the upcoming Presidency cannot be understated. Speaking exclusively for this article, Head of European Commission Representation in Ireland, Peter Power, said, “The Presidency is a high profile moment in which Ireland takes centre stage in Europe. It is also a moment of reflection and celebration of our shared values and our commitment to work together as a Union of 27 likeminded neighbours for a better future.”
Speaking exclusively for this article, Head of European Commission Representation in Ireland, Peter Power, said, “The Presidency is a high profile moment in which Ireland takes centre stage in Europe. It is also a moment of reflection and celebration of our shared values and our commitment to work together as a Union of 27 likeminded neighbours for a better future.”
The triple lock system in Ireland means that for the country to send Defence Forces personnel overseas it needs government approval, a dáil vote and crucially, UN approval. No other country requires formal UN approval to send out their defence forces, and some argue that with this rule in place, it makes Ireland’s input on defence conversations somewhat redundant. This could cause the holders of the Presidency to not be taken seriously enough on this topic in the second half of this year.
Over the last few years, we’ve seen the idea of a UN Security Council veto utilised on a number of occasions. Requiring the approval of, for example, the United States of America, to send Irish troops to a war could prove to be a serious roadblock in today’s global climate. As a result of this, the government is proposing some changes to the current system: firstly, an increase in the amount of troops that can be sent without the approval of a dáil vote and secondly, perhaps more importantly, the removal of the requirement for UN approval.
With the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, defence is the most relevant it has ever been for the European Union. As the union’s leaders and representatives descend on Ireland in the second half of this year, they’ll be interested to hear about the developing situation of removing this triple lock system. Both Fianna Fail and Fianna Gael are in favour of these changes, and see it fit that countries like Russia should not be able to block an Irish military movement.
Speaking at an event in Europe House in Dublin earlier this year, Defence Minister Helen McEntee said the security environment in Europe has been “utterly changed by Russia’s war of aggression”. In a Seanad statement weeks later she said, “It is clear from my engagement with my EU and international colleagues, that we share the same concerns about the complex security environment in Europe, not least because of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, but importantly, we also share the ambition for Europe to step up its investment in defence and security.”
It’s clear that the government feels security needs to be a top priority for the European Union, but with the triple lock system still in place, will the Irish voice be taken seriously in defence conversations later this year?
It’s no sure thing that the changes will be made. The removal of the triple lock has its critics. Tom Clonan is elected to Seanad Eireann and is a defence forces whistleblower, having previously served in the army. He says “The decision-making process that Ireland mobilises to send our troops to an international conflict is intimately linked with our militarily non-aligned neutral status. I believe that the scrapping of the Triple Lock is an ill-considered, ill-conceived and potentially catastrophic step”.
“The decision-making process that Ireland mobilises to send our troops to an international conflict is intimately linked with our militarily non-aligned neutral status. I believe that the scrapping of the Triple Lock is an ill-considered, ill-conceived and potentially catastrophic step”.
Clonan is not alone. Sinn Fein, the Social Democrats and other opposition parties have come out saying that the government’s plan to scrap the triple lock has not been thought through. Neutrality, which a recent Irish Times poll found is currently supported by around two thirds of Irish citizens, is heavily guarded by the triple lock. If the triple lock system goes, will neutrality follow?
The triple lock has always been a controversial policy. Most people agree that the system has its perks, but isn’t perfect. With Ireland about to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, its timely that the government is looking to move on it, whether they are taking the right action or not.
Are different systems in member states a good thing? ‘United in Diversity’, as they say. Or will the European Union fail to take Ireland seriously on a topic that they can’t fully dictate their own moves in? Only time will tell.