Paul Murphy demands referendum on abolishing triple lock
Paul Murphy challenged the Taoiseach over proposed legislation to abolish the triple lock, demanding a referendum and a commitment to full parliamentary scrutiny. He asked the Government not to abolish the triple lock without a public vote and pressed for assurances that the bill would not be guillotined.
He asked if the Taoiseach would hold a referendum on the triple lock before attempting to pass legislation to abolish it. He also demanded a commitment not to guillotine any part of the legislation and called for full prelegislative scrutiny rather than ramming the bill through the House.
He said the Nice Treaty would not have passed a referendum the second time around without the national declaration promising to retain the triple lock that the Government lodged alongside it. He warned against a plan to rely on a "Lowry provided majority" and to quietly withdraw Ireland's national declaration from international law.
The Taoiseach replied that he did not believe Ireland should allow an aggressor imperialistic nation to have a veto on whether Irish troops should participate in a peacekeeping mission. He said the triple lock needs amendment in the context of how the world has evolved geopolitically, citing the stance taken by permanent members of the UN Security Council and mentioning Russia as an example of an aggression that should not have a veto over peacekeeping decisions.
The Chair acknowledged Deputy Murphy and Deputy Ken O'Flynn and moved the debate to Deputy Ken O'Flynn after Deputy Murphy had used his time and questions.
Main questions to the Taoiseach
He asked if the Taoiseach would hold a referendum on the triple lock before attempting to pass legislation to abolish it. He also demanded a commitment not to guillotine any part of the legislation and called for full prelegislative scrutiny rather than ramming the bill through the House.
References to the Nice Treaty and national declaration
He said the Nice Treaty would not have passed a referendum the second time around without the national declaration promising to retain the triple lock that the Government lodged alongside it. He warned against a plan to rely on a "Lowry provided majority" and to quietly withdraw Ireland's national declaration from international law.
Taoiseach's remarks on veto and geopolitics
The Taoiseach replied that he did not believe Ireland should allow an aggressor imperialistic nation to have a veto on whether Irish troops should participate in a peacekeeping mission. He said the triple lock needs amendment in the context of how the world has evolved geopolitically, citing the stance taken by permanent members of the UN Security Council and mentioning Russia as an example of an aggression that should not have a veto over peacekeeping decisions.
Parliamentary procedure and next speaker
The Chair acknowledged Deputy Murphy and Deputy Ken O'Flynn and moved the debate to Deputy Ken O'Flynn after Deputy Murphy had used his time and questions.
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Other speeches
Tego samego dnia All speeches from this day →
Mary Lou McDonald
'DOUBLE-JOBBING HOUSING MINISTER' - Deputy Mary Lou McDonald- speech from 29 Apr 2025
Mattie McGrath
Mattie McGrath warns of HSE failures and lack of accountability
Martin Daly
Martin Daly warns over non-medical springs and DDH inconsistencies
Mattie McGrath
Mattie McGrath accuses 'paper company' over Dundrum House Hotel deal
Mattie McGrath
Mattie McGrath Slams HSE for Lack of Accountability in Care
George Lawlor
George Lawlor Raises Alarm Over Housing Adaptation Grants
Transcript
Thanks, Cairn-Courley. Taoiseach, you have included legislation to abolish the triple lock in the spring legislative programme. The Nice Treaty would not have passed a referendum the second time around without the national declaration promising to retain the triple lock that the Government lodged alongside it. I am asking you again if you will hold a referendum on the triple lock before attempting to pass legislation here to abolish it. Or is the plan to force abolition through, relying on your Lowry provided majority and then to quietly withdraw Ireland's national declaration from international law? You said at the weekend that you would have no difficulty whatsoever in bringing to the democratic parliament of this republic a proposal to remove the triple lock. Can I ask if you include in your idea of a democratic parliament actually complying with what is left of its democratic procedures? Will you commit now not to guillotine any part of this legislation and will you commit to full prelegative scrutiny and not to try to ram this through the House to avoid debate? Thank you, Deputy. I said very clearly at the weekend that I did not believe that Ireland should allow an aggressor imperialistic nation to have a veto on whether Irish troops should participate in a peacekeeping mission or not. Thatme is essentially our position. The triple lock is the way it does need amendments in context of how the world has evolved geopolitically, particularly the stance that is taken by security council by permanent members. In our view, an aggression like Russia should not have a veto on whether we just do it as a peacekeeping day or not. Thank you Deputy Murphy and Deputy Ken O'Flynn. Deputy Murphy, you have had your time and your questions, Deputy Ken O'Flynn.