Tánaiste would ‘never support’ giving up neutrality

Tánaiste Simon Harris said the function of the new Ministerial Council on National Security would involve reviewing and monitoring “issues to do with security and defence of the state”.

He clarified the matter when speaking to The Anglo-Celt at Heather Humphreys' retirement function in Cootehill last week.

The council, announced last Wednesday (March 19), will be chaired by An Taoiseach and bring together key figures responsible for Ireland's national security. It will also address international security.

“Ireland is a militarily neutral country and we're proudly militarily neutral and we will remain that.”

Minister Harris said this does not mean Ireland is “immune from threat”, mentioning cyber-attacks and hybrid attacks by way of example.

“We obviously have a lot of coastline, a lot of seas and we need to continue to recognise we live in a very volatile world and Ireland has to be prepared, just like all countries, for any threats we might face.”

Triple Lock

Speaking on the Triple Lock, a legislative device that, since 2001, has required a United Nations' mandate along with a Dáil and Government decision before more than 12 members of the Defence Forces are deployed overseas, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs said he has put forward legislation to “amend” it.

“I passionately believe in military neutrality but I don't believe it's right that members of the UN Security Council, the likes of Russia, can have a veto on where we send our peacekeepers.

“We do have to accept that we live in a reality now where Russia are permanent members of the Security Council as are other countries.

“At the moment that effectively means they can veto where we send peacekeepers. I think we need to modify that.”

The Tánaiste said he would “never support” giving up neutrality.

“Military neutrality I think is something Irish people really value and something I very much value too.”