Council in Mayo reaffirms support for Triple Lock

MAYO County Council has reaffirmed its support and protection of Ireland’s Triple Lock.

The matter was before the local authority by way of an Aontú motion from Councillor Deirdre Lawless.

The Triple Lock, she said, has ensured Ireland’s participation in overseas missions (with more than 12 defence personnel) would always require approval from the Cabinet, Dáil Éireann and the Security Council or General Assembly.

In 2001, the Irish people rejected the Nice Treaty over concerns that it would drag Ireland into EU military structures that would threaten our neutrality. To get the electorate to approve the EU Treaty, the government, with the agreement of the other EU member states, through a 'solemn declaration' introduced the Triple Lock.

“This declaration was reiterated following initial rejection of the subsequent Lisbon Treaty. Therefore, I am calling on this council to reinstate its continued support of the Triple Lock which is an important guarantee and protection of Irish neutrality,” she said in her motion.

Councillor Lawless said Ireland has shown we do not need to engage in warfare to make an impact, with the Defence Forces making invaluable contributions to peace keeping missions worldwide.

The government, she said, seems on course to scrap the Triple Lock and tie us into EU militarisation.

Now, more than ever, we should be a beacon of peace in a world gripped by conflict, and we should strengthen our diplomatic efforts. Let's become a leader in peace, said Councillor Lawless.

Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry Murray seconded the motion, saying our natural habitat is that of a neutral country, formulating our own independent foreign policy.

We are unique in Europe having never been an empire or occupier, and we have a different ethos and history than many of our European counterparts, he said. Our natural habitat is as an independent nation giving leaderhip to the rest of the world based on our unique history and circumstances.

Fianna Fáil Councillor Damien Rayn said technically this is a national issue. He would not oppose it but there is a need for a greater debate at national level.

We have a differing world and all the threats, with encroachment in eastern Europe.

In not dismantling the Triple Lock we need to look at the power of the veto, which is working in favour of the agressor, and that debate is needed, eh said.

It is a national issue, said Councillor Lawless, whose motion was agreed, but it will affect the men and women of Mayo. It is the lives of our men and women whose will be lost on the battle fields of Europe for those who profiteer from war.