ieExplains: What will removing the UN mandate mean for the triple lock?

But what exactly is the triple lock, and how will it change how Ireland sends its troops abroad?

What is the triple lock system?

This is a system of three steps that Ireland is required to carry out to send more than 12 Defence Forces troops abroad at one time.

This could be for a peacekeeping mission or sending army rangers abroad on an airlift mission to rescue Irish citizens.

These three steps include government approval for a mission to send Defence Forces troops abroad, typically done through a Cabinet decision.

The second step is for the Dáil to rubberstamp this decision. This would be done through a vote in the Dáil, with TDs likely to debate the matter.

The final step is the requirement for a mandate from the United Nations, either through a decision of the UN Security Council or a resolution of the UN General Assembly.

What is the Government changing?

The Government is proposing to remove the requirement for a UN mandate to send Irish troops abroad.

This would mean that, in future, sending Irish troops abroad would only require the approval of both the Cabinet and Dáil before permission would be granted.

The Tánaiste has also proposed increasing the number of troops Ireland can send abroad without triggering the lock from 12 to 50.

Mr Harris said this is “in line with military advice” and would include all the personnel required on a given mission.

Why is the Government changing the ‘triple lock’ policy?

The Government has argued that there is a need to remove the triple lock and replace it with a double lock due to the ability of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council to veto future peacekeeping missions.

“The idea of the UN Security Council having a veto on where we deploy Irish troops in relation to peacekeeping is something that needs to be modified,” Mr Harris said on Sunday.

We cannot have a situation where any one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Russia, or anybody else can veto that decision. We need to be empowered to do that

What impact will it have on Irish peacekeeping?

Essentially, it would allow Ireland to become involved in peacekeeping missions that are not mandated specifically by the United Nations.

This would include allowing Irish peacekeepers take part in EU-led missions, with the Government insisting that this would only be permitted if they are consistent with both the UN Charter and international law.

Government sources have said that it will also allow for Ireland to deploy troops abroad rapidly, citing the evacuation of citizens from Kabul in 2021.

Why are TDs against the change to the triple lock?

There has been pushback to the change since it was proposed.

“We are concerned that ending the triple lock would have an inherent impact on our military neutrality,” Labour leader Ivana Bacik told the Dáil last week.

“It would open the door for members of our Defence Forces to participate in foreign conflicts that lack the protection of the blue beret and a United Nations mandate, and that would compromise our neutrality.”

Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire also said allowing Irish troops to be deployed to any international mission would be a “significant risk” to the policy of neutrality.

He said Ireland is not a major military power and should best exercise influence through neutrality.

Government sources have insisted that the change reinforces “Ireland’s ability to pursue an independent foreign policy” by removing the veto power of the Security Council.

“Should there be future peace support operations, for example, in either Ukraine or Gaza, Ireland couldn’t even consider participation unless it had a UN mandate — which, in both these cases, would be unlikely,” one source said.