THE GOVERNMENT IS set to press ahead with plans to remove the Triple Lock governing overseas deployments of Irish troops today.

It’s a move that is expected to trigger a fierce political row with opposition parties over the State’s long-standing policy of military neutrality.

The Triple Lock is a mechanism that sets out the conditions under which more than 12 Irish troops can participate in overseas peacekeeping or peace support operations. Under the current system, deployments require three approvals: a United Nations mandate, government approval, and a Dáil resolution.

Under the proposed changes being brought to cabinet today by Defence Minister Helen McEntee, the requirement for UN Security Council authorisation would be removed.

Ministers argue the reforms would prevent Ireland being blocked from participating in international missions due to UN Security Council deadlock or vetoes by permanent members such as Russia, and would ensure Ireland can respond more flexibly to peace support operations.

One recent example cited by the Department is the end of Irish involvement in Operation IRINI, an EU naval mission in the Mediterranean focused on stopping weapons from getting into the hands of groups in war torn Libya.

The UN Security Council resolution for the operation lapsed in May, which resulted in Irish troops withdrawing from the mission.

McEntee has previously said the removal of the Triple Lock “will do nothing to alter or undermine Ireland’s policy of military neutrality”.

“The legislation currently in place allows any of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, by means of a veto or, indeed, threat of veto, to bind this country’s hands in its international peacekeeping engagement,” McEntee told the Dáil in February.

“We should not and cannot tolerate that.”

However, the move has been strongly opposed by opposition parties and academics, with more than 400 university staff and researchers signing an open letter calling on the government to reconsider the plan.

The letter argued that removing the mechanism would weaken Ireland’s neutrality and reduce its commitment to the UN system, while also criticising the government’s position on international law and military cooperation.

Recent polling suggests the issue is finely balanced, with a Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks survey showing 44% in favour of retaining the Triple Lock and 43% in favour of removing it.

Sinn Féin TD Mairéad Farrell has said the proposals represent a “serious diminution” of neutrality.

“The government are refusing to put the question of removing the triple lock to a referendum because they know that most Irish people believe that the Triple Lock Neutrality Protection is necessary and is an important protection to ensure our neutrality,” Farrell said.