Sligo County Council · October Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council · 6 October 2025
A vote on a motion expressing dismay at and opposition to the Government's proposal to abolish the Triple Lock, which governs the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas, and rejecting proposals to abolish or amend it.
Summary written by AI from the minutes. The motion as recorded follows.
"That Sligo County Council expresses its dismay and opposition to the Government's proposal to abolish the Triple Lock, which governs the deployment of Irish Defence Forces personnel overseas. The Triple Lock has ensured that Ireland's participation in overseas missions (with more than 12 defence personnel) would always require approval from: (1) the Cabinet, (2) Dáil Éireann, and (3) the mission they are being deployed on would have a UN mandate either from the Security Council or the 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 encourage the electorate to approve the 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, this Council rejects government proposals to abolish or amend the Triple Lock, noting that such a proposal would signify a major breach of trust with the Irish electorate and a serious diminution of Irish neutrality."
Proposed by D. Bree; seconded by G. O'Boyle.
The minutes record: The Cathaoirleach deemed the motion LOST
| Party | Tá | Níl | Staon | Didn't vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fianna Fáil | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Fine Gael | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Sinn Féin | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Independent Ireland | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Labour Party | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| People Before Profit-Solidarity | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
None
Tá, Níl and Staon are the minutes’ for, against and abstained. “Didn’t vote” covers councillors on the council that day whom the minutes don’t list under any option, for any reason. Parties are as of the meeting day.