Protect the Triple Lock
#NotInOurChildrensNames
Tipperary County Council's decision to reject the motion as presented is profoundly disappointing. This issue is of major national and local consequence, striking at the heart of Ireland's long-standing policy of neutrality and the safety and security of Irish citizens.
The amendment put forward by Fine Gael and supported by Fianna Fáil effectively guts the intention of the original motion. Their call for pre-legislative scrutiny is nothing more than a procedural smokescreen. It is already well known that this scrutiny has been completed through the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025, published in May and scrutinised during the summer. This manoeuvre is yet another example of FF/FG attempting to stall, distract, and mislead the public—kicking the can down the road while pretending to act responsibly.
The hollowed out amended motion was eventually voted on and won on only a slight margin—yet the will of the public was unmistakable.
Cllr. Jim Ryan's request to amend his motion to include a call for a referendum—supported by Sinn Féin and several Independents—was refused without justification. The rejection of a referendum is a direct dismissal of public involvement on a matter that fundamentally concerns Ireland's neutrality.
Our councillors are elected with a democratic mandate to represent the concerns of the people. Over recent weeks, those concerns have been expressed loudly and unambiguously: through a widely supported petition, a well-attended public meeting, county-wide information stalls, and extensive radio discussion. The people of Tipperary engaged in good faith and expected their representatives to do the same.
We acknowledge and sincerely thank the councillors who supported the motion and who stood firmly with their constituents. Their cooperation and integrity have been clear, and we look forward to working closely with them as this issue develops.
As for those who voted against it—the people of Tipperary will not forget. When these councillors next appear seeking votes, their actions today will be remembered.
Our commitment to defending Ireland's neutrality and protecting the Triple Lock remains unwavering. We will continue our work with calm determination and respect.
Ireland has a proud decades-long tradition of neutrality that stretches back generations. This tradition has enabled us to be a respected voice for peace and diplomacy worldwide, playing an important role in conflict resolution, peacekeeping missions under UN mandates, and humanitarian work across the globe. Irish neutrality has overwhelming support from the population—poll after poll shows the vast majority of Irish people value and want to preserve our neutral status.
Our neutrality has allowed Ireland to act as an honest broker in international disputes, to provide peacekeepers who are welcomed rather than feared, and to speak truth to power without being seen as aligned with any military bloc. It has made us safer, not more vulnerable, and has earned us respect and goodwill around the world.
Despite this, the current government plans to undermine this tradition by dismantling the "Triple Lock". They are using their Dáil majority to rush through legislation without a clear mandate from the Irish people and without proper public consultation or scrutiny. This is being done quietly, without the fanfare or public debate such a fundamental change to our foreign policy deserves.
The "Triple Lock" is the legal mechanism that protects Irish neutrality in practice. It means that for more than 12 Irish defence personnel to be deployed on any overseas mission, three conditions must be met:
The Triple Lock was enshrined in law and affirmed through solemn legal declarations that were made to secure the ratification of both the Nice Treaty (2002) and the Lisbon Treaty (2009). During those referendum campaigns, the Irish public expressed serious concerns about European militarisation and the potential erosion of Irish neutrality. In response, the government provided legal guarantees—including the Triple Lock—that Ireland's neutrality would be protected.
These weren't casual promises. They were formal legal commitments made to the Irish people in order to secure a 'Yes' vote. Dismantling the Triple Lock now, without holding a further referendum, represents a betrayal of those commitments and of the democratic process itself.
The hypocrisy is striking. Political leaders who once defended the Triple Lock as essential to Irish neutrality are now quietly dismantling it when they think people aren't paying attention.
By removing the requirement for UN authorization, the government is fundamentally changing Ireland's role in the world. Instead of serving international peace under a UN mandate, Irish troops could be deployed in missions serving the strategic interests of powerful military blocs like NATO, or in EU military operations that align with US, UK, and German foreign policy objectives.
This isn't a minor procedural change. This is a fundamental transformation of Ireland's place in the world, done quietly and without democratic mandate.
Contact your TDs and Councillors - Tell them to stand up for Irish neutrality and preserve the Triple Lock
Spread the word - Share this site and use #NotInOurChildrensNames
Get involved locally - Join your local neutrality network or attend our meetings
1. Find your representatives: Look up your TDs and local councillors. You can find their contact information online or through the Oireachtas/Tipperary County Council websites.
2. Contact them directly: Email, call, or write to them. Personal contact is far more effective than social media. Be polite but firm. Tell them:
3. Spread the word: Most people don't know this is happening. Share information with friends, family, colleagues, and on social media. Use #NotInOurChildrensNames
4. Get involved locally: Join your local neutrality network or start one. Attend meetings, help with leafleting, and connect with others who share your concerns.
5. Stay informed: Follow Tipperary Neutrality Network and other neutrality groups for updates, resources, and opportunities to take action.
Building our movement on the ground, one conversation at a time
Follow Tipperary Neutrality Network for resources and actions