Sir, – Ireland’s reputation as a safe place to live is a national asset. For many people who build their lives here, or choose to remain here, the prospect of raising a family in a peaceful country matters enormously. That deserves greater weight in the debate about abolishing the triple lock.
Removing the requirement for a United Nations mandate for overseas troop deployments may not formally end military neutrality, but it weakens a safeguard against participation in conflicts whose consequences we cannot control.
The Government argues that UN vetoes obstruct peacekeeping. That is a legitimate concern. It does not follow that removing the international mandate requirement is the wisest response.
There is an economic dimension too. Ireland depends heavily on international confidence, investment and trade. Any erosion of our reputation for stability could introduce uncertainty for businesses and households alike. A recession cannot be predicted from this change alone, but neither should the economic risks of deeper military entanglement be dismissed.
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Neutrality does not require indifference to suffering. We can defend international law, support humanitarian relief and contribute to peacekeeping while retaining firm limits on military deployment.
Before dismantling those limits, the Government should answer a straightforward question: how does this make the people of Ireland safer?
Peace is part of our prosperity. It should not be treated as expendable. – Yours, etc,
CATHAL O’REILLY,
Clonmel,
Co Tipperary.
