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Take Action: Support Neutrality and Oppose the Latest Move Towards NATO!

national | anti-war / imperialism | press release

Thursday January 11, 2024 21:10

by PANA

Following the defeat of the Nice Treaty referendum, Ireland committed that our Defence Forces would only be sent overseas where approved by (i) the Government (ii) the Dáil and (iii) the United Nations.

Known as the “Triple Lock”, this commitment made in Seville, Spain, was a key argument in favour of accepting the Nice Treaty in the second referendum. (It also reaffirmed the position set out in the Defence Act 1960.)

After the Lisbon Treaty was rejected in 2008, our Government again made a National Declaration affirming the Triple Lock, to encourage the Irish people to vote Yes in the second referendum.

In 2020, both the Fianna Fáil manifesto and the Programme for Government committed to protecting neutrality and the Triple Lock requirement for a UN mandate.

The Triple Lock reflects our historic commitment as a neutral state to the UN rather than military alliances such as NATO. Ending the Triple Lock will bring us closer to NATOmembership, which is supported by many of those pushing the move.

Please take two minutes to oppose this move by e-mailing our elected representatives. Below is a model e-mail you can use or adapt. The following is a list of deputies’ e-mails you can copy and paste into your e-mail.

Model E-mail

Dear Deputy

I am writing to express my concern at the Government's proposals to enable the Defence Forces to serve abroad in missions unauthorised by the United Nations. In my view, adherence to the charter and values of the United Nations should remain a core part of Irish foreign policy and I urge you to vote against these proposals.

In contrast to the majority of Western countries, our Defence Forces do not have a history of invading and occupying other countries. This has given them a great deal of credibility in the Global South, when serving in UN missions. If Irish troops begin taking part in missions not authorised by the UN, this credibility will be seriously tarnished.

The UN requirement also protects our independence by ensuring we are not pressured by more powerful countries to take part in their wars, such as the 2003 US-led attack on Iraq.

At very least, a referendum should be held to give the Irish people a say on such a momentous change in our foreign policy.

Yours sincerely
[INSERT NAME]

E-mail addresses

Find your representative's email below, or https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/ OR see the list of emails at the end of this page

https://www.pana.ie/posts/take-action-support-neutrality-and-oppose-the-latest-move-towards-nato