KEEP IRELAND NEUTRAL
Ireland has a long and proud history as a neutral peace-broker. The vast majority of people all over Ireland are extremely proud of this history and of Irish neutrality; but recently, the government has been trying to scrap our neutrality and get us involved in military alliances such as NATO or an EU army.
KEEP THE TRIPLE LOCK
Our neutrality depends on something called The Triple Lock. This means that in order to send more than 12 troops abroad, you must get permission from the government, the parliament/Dáil (government and opposition) and the UN (Security Council or General Assembly).
The Triple Lock works extremely well by allowing us to take part in peacekeeping missions but keeping us out of unsanctioned wars like the illegal invasion of Iraq.
People all across Ireland are coming together to say no to war and militarism and demand that we keep the Triple Lock and keep our proud and longstanding neutrality
The arms-dealers of the world see Ireland as an untapped market for their profits. They need wars in order to make money.
But we understand that our neutrality and the Triple Lock keeps us safe.
All wars must end through diplomacy and this is where Ireland can play a major role on the world stage and help bring wars to an end.
The world needs neutral peace-brokers now, more than ever and Ireland is in a very special position to help bring wars to an end.
Contact us: info@keepirelandneutral.ie
News & Views
“…the world’s most important work, the work of peace”. President J.F. Kennedy Dáil Eireann 1963.
Article by Elizabeth Cullen. Lex Innocentium 21st Century.
‘In November 2025, the government asked the Irish people to propose themes for their upcoming Presidency of the European Union. 1.
Lex Innocentium 21st Century put forward the theme of peace, and proposed the establishment of a Peace Institute in Ireland. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Helen McEntee, however stated that “Supporting Ukraine will be a central priority during Ireland’s EU Presidency later this year.” 2.
Why can the achievement of peace in our troubled world not be the ‘central priority’ of Ireland’s presidency? If we were to adhere to our constitutional obligation to commit to “the pacific settlement of international disputes by international arbitration or judicial determination”, we would be clearly pursuing the path of peace. We would also be working with the United Nations (UN), with its remit for world peace. Unfortunately, the government is doing the exact opposite. Removing the necessity for a UN mandate for the overseas deployment of Irish troops will do two things:-
* it will tend to undermine the status and authority of the UN in Ireland and abroad (whose Charter Ireland is legally bound to uphold), and significantly,
** it will also enable Irish troops to operate under the aegis of the EU.
The Triple Lock was introduced following the rejection of the first Nice Treaty in 2001. Its purpose was to persuade people who had been concerned about the impact of the Nice Treaty on our neutrality to change their minds and to vote to accept the treaty. That Government commitment to neutrality and the Triple Lock was embodied in what the Bertie Ahern Government of that time called the “National Declaration by Ireland”. That National Declaration by Ireland was in turn responded to formally by the other EU States in what was called the “Seville Declaration” of the other EU States 2002 and both Declarations were formally registered at the UN along with the Nice Treaty when that was ratified. The National Declaration of Ireland gave a special legal basis and authority to the Triple Lock. 3.
Of note, the Irish State has never issued a comparable National Declaration on any other issue.
In 2008, the Lisbon Treaty brought Irish foreign and security policy, among other areas, into the remit of the EU, and this was a matter of grave concern to many Irish people
who had serious reservations about the increasing militarization of the EU, and who again (2) voted not to accept the treaty.1.
To renege on this promise is the most anti-democratic action any Irish government has ever taken. The electorate in both referendums had every right to be concerned as Ireland’s military involvement in EU matters has been steadily increasing. Ireland joined PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation) in December 2017 (after only a two-hour debate in the Dáil). The legally binding commitments made under PESCO included a commitment to have our military technical standards interoperable with those of NATO, a commitment to regularly increase our defence spending, and a commitment to make the European defence industry more competitive.
In 2021, our peacekeepers were withdrawn from the Golan Heights, where they had been on a UN peace keeping mission for a decade to ensure that our Irish Defence forces would be able to fulfil their commitment to EU Battlegroups. 4. 5…
* For full text of article on the Triple Lock and Ireland’s role in wars, militarisation and future peace please see the News & Views page 19-08-2026.
Link: https://keepirelandneutral.ie/news-views/
“NATO must become more European to remain transatlantic”
by Fionn Wallace, Socialist Voice’.1st August 2026
(Reproduced with kind permission of author.)
‘Elbridge Colby, the US Under Secretary of War for Policy, took to Twitter in April to celebrate the EU stepping up to the plate, declaring that “NATO must no longer be a paper tiger”. He said: “Germany is now taking the leading role in this. After years of disarmament, Berlin is stepping up. The Department of War is already working closely with European allies, especially Germany, to accelerate this transition to NATO 3.0.” He then went on to quote from Berlin’s new Military Strategy: “Germany is taking on a historically unprecedented amount of responsibility for Europe, and will continue to build on this basis. NATO must become more European to remain transatlantic.”
The Berlin Strategy is a blueprint that builds on Colby’s 2026 US National Defense Strategy – a plan that sees the EU buy historic amounts of US military hardware in order to help the US counter the rise of China. Germany is fully on board and is leading the charge in militarising the EU…’
* For full text of article please see the News & Views page 01-08-2026. Link:https://keepirelandneutral.ie/news-views/
The Triple Lock requires approval from the Dáil, the Government, and the United Nations before Irish troops can be deployed abroad. It safeguards Ireland’s neutrality and ensures democratic oversight of military actions.
Check out ‘The Triple Lock Fact Sheet’ April 2026 here:-https://keepirelandneutral.ie/knowledge-base/
* Read about the Triple Lock, what you need to know, plus answers to the many questions you may have.
WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT PLANNING?
In recent years, the Irish government has deepened its ties with EU military structures and NATO, continued to allow US military aircraft to use Shannon Airport, and permitted flights carrying weapons to Israel through Irish airspace. Irish neutrality is being hollowed out – there are new ‘defense’ partnerships with the French navy and others, and most significant of all, the Dublin government is pushing legislative change to allow Irish troop deployments on EU or NATO-led missions.
By seeking to dismantle the Triple Lock — removing the requirement for a UN mandate before deploying Irish troops — the government is further undermining our neutrality. This move not only damages Ireland’s hard-earned international reputation but also increases the risk of being drawn into military operations at the behest of the United States and its allies.
THE NORTH
There is also a real push to re-militarise the north to support NATO activities, citing Irish security ‘freeloading’, the possibility of a united Ireland hostile to NATO interests, and using cold war rhetoric to talk up the threat of Russia, China and Iran.
Defence (Amendment) Bill 2026 brought before the Dáil 16th June 2026
The Bill is currently before Dáil Éireann, First Stage.
For full text of Bill see: https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/bill/2026/63/eng/initiated/b6326d.pdf
NEUTRALITY ROADSHOW
To share facts on Neutrality and promote the movement to keep the Triple Lock we have recorded an online NEUTRALITY ROADSHOW.
As part of our grassroots campaign we embarked on a roadshow to talk Irish neutrality and explain the need to protect the Triple Lock with the public. Featuring a host of expert speakers, the Neutrality Roadshow has been touring the country to create a space for open dialogue and discussion, and be there to answer questions and allay fears.
Now you have the opportunity to watch the Neutrality Roadshow online.
The online event featured Patrick Bresnihan, Rory Rowan and Fionn Wallace. They spoke about the importance of preserving Ireland’s neutrality and the Triple Lock system, the militarisation of the EU, International Law, sub-sea cables, the need for social and ecological security, not armed (in)security, and more.
Watch and share the online NEUTRALITY ROADSHOW here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=encdd0PLlXE
ACT NOW!
Now is the time for us all to stress the importance of Irish Neutrality and oppose foreign wars.
You can take a simple action right now to keep the Triple Lock and help protect Irish Neutrality.
1. Contact your local Fianna Fail TDs.
Not all Fianna Fail TDs agree with the undermining of Irish Neutrality by their leader Micheál Martin, but not all of these elected representatives have the courage to speak out against government plans- such as removing the Triple Lock. If enough people contact their local Fianna Fail TDs asking them to protect our neutrality and speak out against removing the Triple Lock it will encourage them to represent their electorate’s views.
* See OurNeutrality.ie Protect Ireland’s Military Neutrality for a ready-to-send email template.
2. Contact all your constituency government TDs.
We know that the opposition parties are against abolition of the Triple Lock, but where do the government TDs of your own constituency stand?
Please contact them by email or post to ask them to vote against any change to the Triple Lock.
Find your constituency TDs here: https://www.contactyourtd.ie/
3. Triple Lock our Future. Sign and share this Uplift petition.
To All TDs. Triple Lock our Future
As a new world war is breaking out, the Irish government is pushing through a bill to end Irish Neutrality.
All TDs must vote against the Defence Amendment Bill 2025 and stop Ireland from being dragged into Trump’s wars or into an EU army.
*To sign this petition please go to our ‘ACT NOW! page: see Sign the Petition
4. The Energy Crisis and Peace.
Use the Uplift proforma to email your TDs
Our Energy, Our Future: Five Demands To Keep The Lights On.
To send these demands to your TDs please go to this link:-
https://action.uplift.ie/campaigns/energy-crisis-solutions
Council Motions
A number of Local Councils across the island of Ireland have passed motions opposing a government imposed removal of the Triple Lock agreement.
Motions on this subject have been passed by :
Derry-Strabane, Mid-Ulster, Cavan, Donegal, Dublin City, Dublin South, Galway City, Limerick, Louth, Mayo, Waterford, Wexford and most recently Cork City.
‘Cork City Council opposes removal of Triple Lock following a vote.’
ICTU response to Government’s proposed removal of triple lock.
‘Commenting on the Cabinet approval for the Defence Amendment Bill, Irish Congress of Trade Unions General Secretary Owen Reidy said:
“Ireland’s strong record of service on UN peacekeeping missions is something of which the Irish public are rightly proud. The country’s commitment to multilateralism and the international rule of law is a core tenet of our foreign policy.
“The Government’s decision to move ahead with the Defence Amendment Bill, which would remove the triple lock, is therefore short-sighted, and would abandon these principles which have served Ireland well over the course of decades.
“The triple lock is an important backstop against the Government of the day deploying Defence Force personnel in instances that may not be supported by international law. While we accept that the current Government has no such intention, it should be aware of potential unforeseen consequences in future.
“While acknowledging the need for reform in the security council, removing the UN from this process weakens the guarantee that deployments carry formal legal sanction. At a moment when such institutions and processes are under attack, we should be proud to maintain our commitment to them.
“The Government’s blunt approach to abolition of the triple lock also does a disservice to a much-needed debate on Ireland’s approach to its defence in the current geopolitical climate. The trade union movement urges them to reconsider this approach, and engage substantively with the Irish public on these matters”.’
Issued June 09, 2026 *Source: https://www.ictu.ie/news/ictu-response-governments-proposed-removal-triple-lock
*For more News & Views please scroll through our News & Views page: https://keepirelandneutral.ie/news-views/
RESOURCES
To find a number of fact sheets, fliers etc. that you can download and use to aid you in campaigning in your own community to Keep Ireland Neutral & to Keep the Triple Lock, please check out our Knowledge Base/ Resources Page: https://keepirelandneutral.ie/knowledge-base/
Examples below.
TRIPLE LOCK OUR FUTURE.
Check out the Uplift campaign and resources here:
Neutrality Protects Us All
Ireland’s neutrality has kept us out of foreign wars and made us a voice for peace. Dismantling the Triple Lock risks dragging us into global conflicts that are not ours to fight.
A Legacy of Peacekeeping
Irish forces are respected around the world for peacekeeping — not war-making. That reputation is built on neutrality. Without it, that legacy is at risk.
Democracy Under Threat
The push to weaken or remove the Triple Lock is happening without a public mandate. No referendum. No democratic debate. Just quiet manoeuvring by elites behind closed doors. If neutrality is to be abandoned, the people of Ireland — not a handful of politicians — must decide. Anything less is a betrayal of our democracy.
Checks and Balances Matter
The UN requirement is not red tape — it’s a safeguard. It stops us from following NATO or EU military missions without international legitimacy.
Events
Shannonwatch Peace Vigil.
Held on the second Sunday of each calendar month. 2-3pm at the ‘Peace Roundabout’ on the approach road leading into Shannon airport. ALL WELCOME.
Sign on display at the Shannonwatch Vigil. 
PAST EVENTS
Pictures and details of just some of the past events.
“The Legacy of Frank Aiken and the role of small countries in times of danger and uncertainty” seminar. Dublin, April 2025. Speakers: Dr. Stephen Kelly (Liverpool Hope University), Dr. Patrick Bresnihan (Maynooth University), Dr. John Maguire, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at University College Cork. Organised by Lex Innocentium 21st Century/ Irish School of Ecumenics. Video of the event below. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0HP1qNtUSg
President Connolly officially opened the 2026 Roger Casement Summer School, which included a number of Neutrality debates.
Carole Fox chaired the meeting addressed by Edward Horgan.
A few pictures from the ‘Triple Lock our Future’ action outside the Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis. Friday 15/5/2026. (Courtesy of Uplift)
Neutrality is a legal construct anchored in international law. Ireland’s neutrality has allowed us to play an important role in peace-keeping
globally. Meanwhile, the highly profitable global arms industry is often instrumental in shaping government policy away from peace keeping and towards war making.
KNOWLEDGE BASE
‘The Price of Prosperity: How U.S. FDI is Enabling Genocide in Gaza and Eroding Our Neutrality’
by Paulie Doyle, Patrick Bresnihan and Patrick Brodie.
Read the full report here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Be6SJcDB1-6VBCrUL44Ig5eW_0yhnMRM/view?usp=sharing
Part of ‘The Neutrality Files’ by Uplift.
‘The Neutrality Files’ brings together detailed research and investigations into attempts by the arms industry, NATO states, and certain politicians to undermine and ultimately destroy our neutrality.
Neutrality means we choose peace over war, and independence over obedience to bodies like NATO and European army generals.
Link to ‘The Neutrality Files’ by Uplift: https://www.uplift.ie/neutrality-files/
BRIEFING PAPER: Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 by the Dáil Research Service.
This Briefing Paper proves to be a valuable resource.
An examination of the policies and legalities of neutrality with the Acts, EU referendums, domestic /EU/ international law within the framework of the UN Charter.
It also examines evolving areas with the latest developments in the EU Common Security and Defence Policy, and of our national defence policy with the legislative proposals concerning the despatch of members of the Irish Defence Forces for overseas service. These include government’s proposal to remove the ‘Triple Lock’. The paper presents arguments for and against the abolition of the Triple Lock arrangement.
Briefing Paper link:
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