Call for changes to deployment of Irish troops

FINE GAEL TD Catherine Callaghan has spoken out strongly against the current system that requires UN Security Council approval before Irish peacekeeping troops can be deployed overseas.

Deputy Callaghan, who previously served in the defence forces, serving in Lebanon during her six years with the Air Corps, criticised the existing ‘triple lock’ mechanism, which gives permanent members of the UN Security Council, including Russia, effective veto power over Ireland’s participation in international missions.

“As a person who has worn a blue beret and an Irish flag on my sleeve, I object in the strongest possible terms to countries like Russia and leaders like Vladimir Putin having the power to intervene in and potentially prevent Ireland's participation in overseas missions,” said the deputy.

The Carlow-based TD highlighted a specific incident from 2022, when Irish Army Rangers were unable to provide protection for then minister for defence Simon Coveney during his visit to Ukraine following the Russian invasion. Instead, members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit were deployed.

“While members of the ERU are highly skilled, they are trained for police operations. Our Irish Army Ranger Wing are at the top of their game in military operations and should be fulfilling these protection duties,” deputy Callaghan stated, adding that it was “a stark contrast to leaders from other countries, who were protected by their own country’s military”.

Her comments come as the Social Democrats call for a plebiscite on whether a UN mandate should remain a requirement for overseas deployments. 

Deputy Callaghan dismissed this proposal as unnecessary, noting that “our constitution already states that ‘the right to raise and maintain military or armed forces is vested exclusively in the Oireachtas’.”  

The Fine Gael position, according to Ms Callaghan, is clear: “We want to decide where our troops go.”