European candidate from Limerick expresses fears over removal of ‘triple lock’

LIMERICK European hopeful Cian Prendiville has warned that a measure designed to protect Ireland’s military neutrality is under threat.

The former City North councillor, who is seeking election to the European Parliament for People Before Profit, says the removal of the so-called triple lock could lead to Irish involvement in international conflicts.

Introduced following the 2001 rejection of the Nice Treaty, the triple lock involves three forms of authorisation before Irish troops enter into battle.

For troops to take part, the operation must be mandated by the United Nations; it must be approved by the Government; and it must be approved by Dáil Éireann.

The government has prepared legislation to remove the protections.

However, Mr Prendiville has expressed fears at what this might lead to.

“They won’t say what wars they are thinking of sending troops to? 

“This is part of a EU-wide push for militarisation, despite the fact EU countries already spend almost a quarter of a trillion euro on the military,” the election candidate said.

He described the “attack” on the triple lock as “deeply undemocratic”.

“As late as 2020, the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael programme for government stated that ‘the Government will ensure that all overseas operations will be conducted in line with our position of military neutrality and will be subject to a triple lock of UN, government and Dáil Eireann approval,” he added.

Mr Prendiville believes the government’s change of heart comes because of a growing arms industry.

“There are currently 550 firms in Ireland active in the Irish defence industry. Military equipment exports more than doubled in one year, from €42.3 million in 2019 to €108.5 million in 2020,” he said.