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

4 December 2023
The Irish Dáil (photo credit via The Irish Times)
The Irish Dáil (photo credit via The Irish Times)
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

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