#Neutrality

Sign in

#Neutrality

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Some of the devastation at Hiroshima after the atomic bomb was dropped by the US in the Second World War. The building on the right was preserved as the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and was visited by the Taoiseach during his recent four-day trip to Japan. File photo: Keystone/Getty Images</p>

comment-analysis

A rules-based order - but who makes the rules?

Active neutrality is something that Irish people strongly identify with. The government’s attempts to remove the Triple Lock threatens to undermine this, writes Rory Rowan

<p>Former Colonel Colm Doyletold the Oireachtas Defence Committee that claims that the removal of the UN authorisation obligation would threaten Ireland’s military neutrality were 'greatly misjudged'. File photo: Liam Burke/Press 22</p>

news

Irish troop missions 'held hostage' by UN veto, says former army colonel

<p>Prof Ray Murphy told the Oireachtas defence committee that provisions in the Defence Bill 2025 could run the risk of Irish Defence Forces becoming 'embroiled in something' that had not been envisaged. Stock picture</p>

news

Defence Forces taking part in EU missions without triple lock 'could breach neutrality'

Government can't replace triple lock with vague criteria for deploying our troops

comment-analysis

Government can't replace triple lock with vague criteria for deploying our troops

Irish troop deployments

politics

Cross-party group launches Irish Neutrality League campaign to defend Ireland's triple lock

Who does this government serve? Protest crackdowns and neutrality debates spark outrage

comment-analysis

Who does this government serve? Protest crackdowns and neutrality debates spark outrage

Irish Neutrality League to protest triple lock changes upon relaunch

Irish Neutrality League to protest triple lock changes upon relaunch

Opposition sources said that they believed that a combined effort would send a stronger message than individual parties opposing the Government

Sun, 23 Mar, 2025

18/3/2010. Army Rangers Exercises

Ireland doesn't build tanks or weapons but SMEs are hoping to benefit from Europe's increased defence spending

With EU defence budgets soaring, Ireland’s tech firms have a chance to play a bigger role in security innovation

Sat, 22 Mar, 2025

07/11/2013. Ministerial Review of the Lebanon Boun

Taoiseach: Russia is 'serious threat' to EU's collective security

Micheál Martin has backed working with EU countries to improve defence capabilities

Thu, 20 Mar, 2025

Handsome young man on his phone in cafe

Sarah Harte: Gen Z won’t fight for Europe — and maybe they have a point

As Europe debates rearmament, cutting social welfare for military spending risks undermining the very values the EU was built on

Wed, 19 Mar, 2025

BELGIUM-EU-POLITICS-ARCHITECTURE-FEATURE

EU 'open to doing more trade with China', says Michael McGrath

The commissioner says the EU wants to have a more balanced trading relationship with China

Mon, 17 Mar, 2025

Belgium Europe Summit

Sarah Harte: Race to re-arm means avoiding groupthink has never been more crucial

This anxious time of turmoil threatens to sweep us all into a new wave of militarism. We must avoid being caught up in the tide

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Taoiseach visit to the US

S Fergus Finlay: Can the Taoiseach navigate Trump’s unpredictability during White House visit?

As Micheál Martin visits Washington, he faces diplomatic challenges, Trump’s unpredictability, and Ireland’s critical US ties

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

Dorcha Lee: If we just keep pretending Ireland isn't really part of Europe, we'll be fine

Dorcha Lee: If we just keep pretending Ireland isn't really part of Europe, we'll be fine

The elephant in the room at tomorrow's Oval Office meeting is a beautifully stuffed, completely neutered Irish wolfhound

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

Russia Ukraine War

S Mick Clifford: Does neutrality still protect Ireland? Why it’s time for an honest conversation

As global threats rise, Ireland’s neutrality faces scrutiny. Is it a principled stance or outdated idealism? The debate intensifies

Sun, 09 Mar, 2025

Donald Trump,Volodymyr Zelenskyy

S Fergus Finlay: Ireland’s neutrality served us well — but now it’s time to move on

Ireland’s long-held neutrality is no longer viable. In a changing world, we must stand with Ukraine and Europe’s defence

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Jennifer Horgan: Why I could never send my children to war — and neither should Ireland

Jennifer Horgan: Why I could never send my children to war — and neither should Ireland

As war rhetoric grows, Ireland must uphold its peace-first stance, rejecting militarisation and reaffirming diplomacy as its global role

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Irish Examiner view: Tough times give rise to hard choices on Irish neutrality

Irish Examiner view: Tough times give rise to hard choices on Irish neutrality

This has been the subject matter of often incendiary discourse since the Second World War, or The Emergency as was known in Ireland

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

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

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

Tánaiste Simon Harris is due to bring proposals to Cabinet that would increase the number of troops Ireland can send abroad without triggering the lock from 12 to 50

Mon, 03 Mar, 2025

ieExplains: What is the triple lock and why is it so important?

ieExplains: What is the triple lock and why is it so important?

This week, the Government is to take the first step in dismantling Ireland's triple lock system that governs the deployment of peacekeepers abroad

Mon, 03 Mar, 2025

MICHEAL MARTIN

Ireland to increase financial contributions to Ukraine, Taoiseach says

Meanwhile, Simon Harris is to present proposals to Cabinet to change Ireland’s 'triple lock' system for deploying soldiers on peacekeeping, crisis management and evacuation missions

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

TOPSHOT-UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CONFLICT-WAR

Hope flickers in Ukraine and Europe as Trump and Putin conspire

On the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, the Irish Examiner's Security Correspondent examines the prospects for Ukraine, and Europe

Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

European Parliament in Brussels

S Writers debate: Should the EU form an army, and should Ireland participate?

In light of the United States saying it cannot be reied on for the region's security, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the formation of a cross-continental force - but is it a good idea? Our experts debate

Sun, 23 Feb, 2025

Irish deputy premier on Ukraine peace talks

Ireland should not join Nato or chance stance on neutrality, says Tánaiste

Simon Harris 'really clear' that more investment is needed in defence and security

Sat, 22 Feb, 2025

'There can be no deal for Ukraine without Ukraine'

'There can be no deal for Ukraine without Ukraine'

As world leaders grandstand with their own agendas on the war in Ukraine, it can become easy to forget the impact it has on everyday people

Sat, 22 Feb, 2025

Irish deputy premier on Ukraine peace talks

Tánaiste won't break triple lock rules but admits Irish peacekeepers may play a role in Ukraine

Currently, the triple lock mechanism only allows deployment where there is a UN mandate either from the Security Council or General Assembly, Government approval, and a Dáil resolution

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Taoiseach: Ireland prepared to send Irish peacekeepers to Ukraine

Taoiseach: Ireland prepared to send Irish peacekeepers to Ukraine

Defence Forces members could be deployed as part of a peacekeeping force in future if a ceasefire is secured

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Colin Sheridan: What’s next for our selective neutrality?

S Colin Sheridan: What’s next for our selective neutrality?

We need to face up to the nuances and quirks of our neutrality while acknowledging the malaise in the Defence Forces charged to defend it, writes Colin Sheridan

Sat, 15 Feb, 2025

Ministerial Review of the Lebanon Bound 42nd Infantry Group in Dublin

Ireland spends least on defence among 38 European nations, study finds

Ireland ranks lowest in Europe for defence spending, as global military budgets surge amid growing security concerns

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Leinster House media briefings

Taoiseach accused of 'obsession' with changing Ireland's triple lock neutrality system

People Before Profit's Paul Murphy: 'Micheál Martin was telling the truth in 2013 when he said the triple lock is at the very core of our neutrality'

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

The Irish public are blissfully unaware that the Third World War has already begun

The Irish public are blissfully unaware that the Third World War has already begun

The sad fact is that, while we may be neutral, our Defence Forces are well and truly neutered, writes Dorcha Lee

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

TOPSHOT-UKRAINE-RUSSIA-CONFLICT-WAR

The push to undermine Ireland’s neutrality faces public opposition

Despite growing calls for militarisation, polls show strong public support for Ireland’s neutrality as government pressure intensifies

Sun, 09 Feb, 2025

MICHEAL MARTIN

S The Micheál Martin Interview: The 'blissfully unaware' are blind to the growing fear in EU states

In an interview with Irish Examiner Political Editor Elaine Loughlin, the Taoiseach says he believes defence will be a vital issue to tackle in his term in office

Sat, 08 Feb, 2025

Many EU nations in 'full war preparation mode', raising pressure on Irish neutrality

Many EU nations in 'full war preparation mode', raising pressure on Irish neutrality

Figures published last month in the Irish Examiner showed that Ireland remains stuck at the bottom of the EU table for defence spending — just 0.2% of GDP

Wed, 29 Jan, 2025

Poll shows extensive support for Ireland's neutrality

Poll shows extensive support for Ireland's neutrality

Those who want the country's so-called Triple Lock mechanism maintained as it is fear Ireland will move closer to joining in the current 'war frenzy' around the world if it is abandoned

Tue, 14 Jan, 2025

Irish people contradict neutrality stance of Government by backing funding of military aid to Ukraine

Irish people contradict neutrality stance of Government by backing funding of military aid to Ukraine

Since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Irish Government has provided non-lethal military aid, which it said was in line with the policy of military neutrality

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Donald Trump

'False sense of security': Warning that Ireland will be affected too if Donald Trump undermines Nato

Institute of International and European Affairs webinar hears warning that Ireland will be vulnerable to global hybrid and cyberattacks

Fri, 15 Nov, 2024

People Before Profit state construction company policy launch

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael trying 'to erode our neutrality', says Richard Boyd Barrett

Mr Boyd Barrett said his party has real respect for those members of the Defence Forces who do peacekeeping and humanitarian work but money that is invested should go towards increasing their pay

Wed, 13 Nov, 2024

Fake News Loupe Facts Notebook

Threats to Ireland have 'increased in significance'

National Risk Assessment 2024 highlights risks to Ireland from domestic and foreign extremists

Wed, 25 Sep, 2024

Taoiseach visit to Poland

Taoiseach: Militarily neutral Ireland will always call out evil

The Taoiseach also said there needs to be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

Taoiseach visit to Poland

Poland's Prime Minister asks Taoiseach to back an air defence system over Europe

Poland has seen missiles enter its airspace following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which it borders

Thu, 05 Sep, 2024

US HERCULES TRANSPORTER

US military flights landing at Shannon 'seriously undermining' Irish neutrality, says TD

Neutrality campaigner Dr Edward Horgan, believes that supplies on the US planes are 'most likely going on to Israel'

Mon, 02 Sep, 2024

Colin Sheridan: We may not be as neutral as we think despite what Jeremy Corbyn believes

S Colin Sheridan: We may not be as neutral as we think despite what Jeremy Corbyn believes

The former British Labour leader was at the annual Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Event in Galway last weekend where Colin Sheridan heard him urge Ireland to protect its neutrality

Sat, 10 Aug, 2024

Changing global politics pulling Ireland into a European military pact

Changing global politics pulling Ireland into a European military pact

The reality facing Ireland is uncertain but one thing we can assume is that the expectations for Ireland to do more militarily will increase, writes Sean O'Riordan

Mon, 05 Aug, 2024

Ireland 'increasingly susceptible' to cyber attacks, espionage and attacks on critical infrastructure

Ireland 'increasingly susceptible' to cyber attacks, espionage and attacks on critical infrastructure

Ireland, as an EU member state with close ties to our EU partners and to the US and the UK, 'faces similar threats and challenges' to those other countries

Thu, 25 Jul, 2024

How far should Ireland go in providing non-lethal aid to Ukraine?

How far should Ireland go in providing non-lethal aid to Ukraine?

As the Russian invasion of Ukraine shows no sign of ending, what does Irish neutrality entail and what help can Ireland provide that doesn’t break the stance of the Government, asks security correspondent Cormac O’Keeffe?

Mon, 15 Jul, 2024

World Leaders Attend NATO Summit In Washington, D.C.

Irish Examiner view: Taking away the car keys

Unlike Joe Biden, ordinary people in their 80s do not have their fingers on the nuclear button

Sat, 13 Jul, 2024

Letters to the Editor: Flawed legislation is not in public interest

Letters to the Editor: Flawed legislation is not in public interest

Readers call for a thorough investigation of the harassment of Wicklow Pride and for Ireland, as a neutral state, to promote international peace rather than being complicit in unjustified wars and exploitation

Fri, 05 Jul, 2024

Julian Assange released from prison

Letters to the editor: Is Ireland’s neutrality really just an illusion?

Seán O’Riordan, in his excellent appraisal of Ireland’s at-risk neutrality, mentions that “the British media has been hard at work” in chastising Ireland as a “freeloader”.

Thu, 27 Jun, 2024

Sean O'Riordan: Small signs that Ireland's neutrality is an illusion

S Sean O'Riordan: Small signs that Ireland's neutrality is an illusion

With subtle changes happening in the Irish defence forces, Sean O’Riordan asks if they're indications to Russia’s military that we are co-operating with our neighbours to protect Europe’s shores?

Mon, 24 Jun, 2024