In Ireland, lower house rejects motion to enshrine neutrality in constitution

Sinn Féin's motion on neutrality has been defeated in the Dáil [on 29 November] by 73 votes to 52. The counter-motion tabled by the government stated that holding a referendum to enshrine neutrality in the Constitution is “not appropriate’. It went on to state that “as a highly globalised country, Ireland cannot rely on our geographic isolation for our security”. Sinn Féin criticised the government for proposing the abolishment of the triple-lock mechanism. The motion called on the government to take a range of actions in relation to Ireland’s policy of military neutrality, including holding a Citizen’s Assembly to propose wording to enshrine neutrality in the Constitution. It also called for a referendum on any changes to the triple lock. Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin announced this week that the government plans to bring forward legislation to scrap the triple-lock for Irish military involvement in operations abroad. The “triple lock” is a mechanism whereby troops can only be deployed by Ireland if there is a United Nations mandate, clearance from the Government and a vote in the Dáil.
Read the full article here: The Journal