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 ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
EVENTS
As EU officials and so-called experts attend an ‘Informal Meeting’ of the European Peace Facility Committee organised by Ireland’s Dept. of Foreign Affairs & Trade
PROTEST
Thursday 16th July 1 – 2pm / Friday 17th July 1:30 – 2:30pm
Department of Foreign Affairs. Stephen’s Green, Dublin
‘EU Warmongers, No More War, Leave Our Neutrality Alone.’
The European Peace Facility describes itself as ‘an instrument aimed at enhancing the EU’s ability to prevent conflicts, build and preserve peace and strengthen international security and stability’, yet the EU has refused peace talks over Ukraine since 2022, and has failed to take action against the genocide in Gaza since 2023.
We must mobilise to tell our political representatives that we reject the EU’s drive to war and demand that they keep the Triple Lock. Serving as UN Peacekeepers is the only way to ‘strengthen international security and stability’.
As Willie O’Dea TD recently wrote: The Oireachtas must find a way to bolster the UN system, not edge away from it. Our most meaningful contribution to international security has always been as a reliable, rules‑based small state that puts its troops into peace operations grounded in UN resolutions.Called by Keep Ireland Neutral (KIN) and friends.
Info: Mark Price, KIN Tel. +353 86 3454332
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.
Sign at the Shannonwatch Vigil. 
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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.
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.
Now, 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.
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KNOWLEDGE BASE
* Read about the Triple Lock, what you needed to know, plus answers to the many questions you may have.
Check out ‘The Triple Lock Fact Sheet’ April 2026 here:-https://keepirelandneutral.ie/knowledge-base/
Fact sheet by Neutrality Now! 
** ‘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:
***** 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
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NEWS & VIEWS
Irish troops form part of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ marching down the Champs-Élysées in the French military parade for Bastille Day, 14th July 2026.
But what kind of international force is the ‘Coalition of the Willing’? If it does not have a UN mandate then we are looking at a stabilisation force- which can also be a fighting mission. The Government’s legislative agenda proposes to remove the existing Triple Lock arrangement so that it can despatch Irish Defence Forces abroad as part of such international forces.
<— The Irish tricolour is on display as part of what France calls ‘a symbol of Europe’s strategic awakening’.
See: https://english.aawsat.com/world/5295799-france-showcases-500-pro-ukraine-troops-bastille-day
‘European troops and planes join Bastille Day parade in show of unity for Ukraine’
‘Some 500 soldiers from the Coalition of the Willing backing Ukraine marched down Paris’s Champs-Elysees on Tuesday in the annual Bastille Day parade, in a showcase of support for Kyiv and a symbolic flexing of European military muscle.’
Micheál Martin has been forced to delay plans to dismantle our Triple Lock, after coming under huge pressure.
Let’s ensure that this becomes more than a temporary retreat!
‘Martin tells Fianna Fáil meeting triple-lock Bill will be deferred until autumn.’
‘As Fianna Fáil TDs criticise scrapping of long-standing policy, Taoiseach says Bill will not be debated before summer recess.’
Micheál Martin reviewing the 125th Infantry Battalion at Custume Barracks, Athlone in October 2024 before its six-month deployment with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Source: Irish Times. 24th June 2026.
The Fianna Fail/ Fine Gael government wanted to ram through legislation to remove the Triple Lock before the summer break. After coming under huge pressure from activists and the electorate, 20 Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators demanded the government paused its plans.
‘Taoiseach’s Triple Lock plan facing backbench pushback’
Source: RTE 20th Jun 2026
Link: https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2026/0620/1579454-triple-lock/
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
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.’
“A Rational Conversation on Neutrality at Galway Arts Festival?“
Letter printed in the Galway Advertiser 25th June 2026
Dear Editor,
The issue of Irish neutrality is currently under review, or under attack depending on one’s perspective. The government seeks to remove the Triple Lock —the final democratic safeguard against Irish Defence Forces being dragged into foreign wars.
‘Neutrality: A Rational Conversation’ is the title of a ‘First Thought’ talk at the Galway International Arts Festival featuring Austrian academic Professor Martin Senn, Irish Times security correspondent Conor Gallagher, and journalist Lara Marlowe. It is described as “a practical discussion about how to proceed” so one might expect a balanced discussion. Yet the composition of the panel raises an obvious question: where is the balance?
Martin Senn and Conor Gallagher discussed this subject together at the European Parliament offices in Dublin in March this year. Senn argued that neutrality is a flexible concept that must evolve to meet contemporary security needs. He described Austrian neutrality as a barrier to a “reasonable” defence policy—a message clearly intended for Irish audiences. Gallagher’s book, ‘Is Ireland Neutral? The Many Myths of Irish Neutrality’ and his commentary on the subject consistently dismiss Irish neutrality, leaving us in little doubt about his own conclusions. Marlowe, a respected war correspondent, sometimes relies on pro-military sources without a critical balance.
A talk comprised entirely of speakers broadly sympathetic to the government’s position cannot be described as a balanced or rational conversation. Rather, it is reminiscent of Micheál Martin’s Consultative Forum on International Security Policy which proved to be an exercise to reinforce the government’s already established policy direction.
Public opinion polling has consistently shown strong majority support for retaining Irish neutrality and current policies including the Triple Lock. Where is that voice on this panel?
Organisers could bring balance by adding speakers with expertise capable of presenting the alternative view. Obvious choices include former Irish Army officer Senator Tom Clonan, a widely published commentator on defence and neutrality, or Dr Karen Devine who is one of Ireland’s foremost academic experts on neutrality. There is also Niamh Ní Bhriain, a leading researcher on international peace issues who has spearheaded the Neutrality Roadshow across Ireland over the past year.
Without such voices, the event risks becoming another exercise in reinforcing a predetermined narrative dressed up as intellectual inquiry.
Galway Alliance Against War
‘Patrick Murphy: “Ireland is preparing to go to war – and we can’t do anything to stop it”.
If the Dublin government is preparing to abandon neutrality, who will be its enemy?’
Micheál Martin is shown the weapon of a member of the Irish armed forces at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin Picture: Niall Carson/PA
Opinion piece in The Irish News 6th June 2026
‘Ireland must retain triple lock to protect peacekeeping role, says former PDForra chief’
‘Men and women of the 125th Infantry Battalion at Custume Barracks, Athlone, Co Westmeath, ahead of their six-month deployment to South Lebanon as part of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) in October 2024. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire’
by Sean O’Riordan. Irish Examiner 3rd May 2026
For more News & Views please scroll through our News & Views page: https://keepirelandneutral.ie/news-views/ ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
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.
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.
- 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
RESOURCES
You will find a number of fact sheets and fliers that you can download and use to aid you in campaigning to Keep Ireland Neutral & to Keep the Triple Lock in your own community. (See example below) Please check out our Knowledge Base/ Resources Page https://keepirelandneutral.ie/knowledge-base/
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PAST EVENTS
Pictures and details of just some of the past events.
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)
As part of our grassroots campaign, we embarked on a roadshow to talk neutrality with the public!
Click the Neutrality Roadshow Page above to see all the dates and times and check out when we will be in your nearest venue. All events are free of charge.
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