Triple lock motion fails after heated clash among Leitrim councillors

A row broke out during a meeting of Leitrim County Council over a motion proposed by Cllr Eddie Mitchell, which called on the Government not to abolish the Triple Lock.

The Triple Lock mechanism, established in 2001, requires three approvals before more than 12 Irish troops can be deployed overseas: from the Cabinet, the Dáil, and a United Nations mandate. 

In May, the Government published legislation aimed at dismantling the mechanism, citing concerns that countries with veto power, particularly China and Russia, could block Irish peacekeeping missions.

However, no Irish troop deployment has ever been vetoed by Russia, China, or any other country on the UN Security Council. 

Most UN vetoes have been used to block US-backed military interventions, which many argue undermines a central justification for removing the Triple Lock.

Cllr Mitchell’s motion stated: “The Triple Lock was introduced through a ‘solemn declaration’ by the Irish Government, with the agreement of the other EU Member, in response to concerns raised by the Irish electorate following the rejection of both the Nice 1 and Lisbon 1 referenda.

READ NEXT: 'We're being pulled into a war machine': Leitrim events sound alarm over threats to Irish neutrality

“This Council rejects plans by the government to abolish or amend the Triple Lock, as it signifies a breach of trust with the Irish electorate and a serious diminution of Irish neutrality.”

He stressed that Irish neutrality is “very important” to the Irish people and highlighted the valuable role Irish troops have played in global peacekeeping.

“Ireland has already been training in EU Battlegroups. If we allow this legislation to happen, we will go from training in EU Battlegroups to EU Battlegroup missions, which would mean we’d end up being led by imperial powers we sought not to be led by,” he said.

The proposal faced opposition from councillors who disagreed with its wording, particularly its statement that the entire Council rejected the Government’s plans.

Cllr Enda McGloin said he “didn’t agree with it at all.”

“The only thing that would change is the peacekeeping operation mandated by the UN. I don't think it does anything other than deal with that issue and I don’t agree with the scenario where the likes of Russia has the power to veto Ireland. We still would need Dáil and Government approval,” he said.

READ NEXT: 'On it's knees': Leitrim childcare sector facing 'absolute collapse' without intervention

“I don’t agree that it would have a ‘serious implication on Irish neutrality’ and I don’t think it should be passed by this Council,” he added.

Cllr Mitchell’s motion was supported by Cllrs Pádraig Fallon, Róisín Kenny, Brendan Barry, James Gilmartin, Cormac Flynn, and Felim Gurn.

“I think our neutrality is something that’s very important and it’s allowed us to go to places that not many others can. I want to support the motion and in fact I will second it,” said Cllr Fallon.

Cllr Bohan expressed uncertainty, stating she didn’t understand enough about the issue to support the motion. Cllr Stenson agreed, saying, “I will not in any way be supporting it because I don’t know. I’m not sure if Leitrim County Council know much about this.

“We’re 12 months out from a local election and I’ve never heard people bringing this up to me once. There’s a lot of housing, rivers, a lot of things to be done,” he said.

Cllr Mitchell said he was “alarmed” that some members believed the matter was not important, a remark that others disputed. He also claimed that Fianna Fáil members were unaware of the legislation being proposed, an assertion challenged by Cllr Bohan.

“You’re misinterpreting this and trying to put your own opinion on us,” she responded.

READ NEXT: Leitrim County Council signals openness to developing a retirement village

“They don’t do local politics in the Dáil and I don’t think we should be doing national politics here,” added Cllr O’Rourke.

Cllr McGloin put forward a counterproposal not to pass the motion, seconded by Cllr Stenson.

Those who voted for the counterproposal were: Cllrs Bohan, McGloin, Stenson, McGowan, Farrell, O’Rourke, Prior, Reynolds, Warnock, and Reynolds-Flynn.

Those who voted against it were: Cllrs Mitchell, Kenny, Gilmartin, Fallon, Barry, Gurn, and Flynn. Cllr Guckian-Rabbitte abstained.

With 10 councillors supporting the counterproposal, Cllr Mitchell’s motion was ultimately not passed.