Neutrality: Where Ireland’s political parties stand

As European countries upscale defence spending in the face of Russia’s continuing invasion of Ukraine and the EU’s publication of the White Paper for European Defence and the ReArm Europe Plan: Readiness 2030, Ireland’s neutrality has come under pressure. In this context, Ciaran Brennan has been engaging with the Oireachtas parties and listening to their stances on neutrality.

Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, People Before Profit, and Aontú issued statements on their neutrality policy to eolas Magazine. Statements on neutrality policy made by the Labour Party, Social Democrats, Green Party, and Independent Ireland available on each party’s website have also been included.

Opposition TDs and Senators came together in a cross-party initiative under the Irish Neutrality League to defend the triple lock in early April 2025. Under the triple lock, the deployment of more than 12 Irish troops overseas requires government approval, approval by the Dáil, and a mandate by the UN. Speaking at the time of announcement of the initiative, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said: “The removal of the triple lock would fatally weaken Irish neutrality.”

Fianna Fáil

“Fianna Fáil believes in military neutrality, and we are militarily neutral. While we strongly value our military neutrality, Ireland is not politically neutral.

“We will continue to engage with international partners and reform the triple lock legislation, whilst also ensuring that amendments to the legislation are in keeping with our values and policy of active military neutrality.

“The triple lock has nothing to do with military neutrality, but it has everything to do with the incapacity and the paralysis on the United Nations (UN) Security Council around peacekeeping missions. Ireland has a proud peacekeeping record. However, vetoes have meant that there have been times when we were unable to play a part in peacekeeping. There has not been a UN peacekeeping mission mandated by the Security Council since 2014.

“Ireland will continue to stand aside from military blocks, but we cannot stand aside from our international responsibilities. There is absolutely no definition of neutrality which requires us to allow another country to have a veto over when we can commit our troops to an international mission.”

Fine Gael

“Ireland is a militarily neutral country and Fine Gael is committed to preserving that policy, which has been the policy of successive governments of Ireland since the Second World War.

“While Ireland is militarily neutral, we are not politically neutral and therefore Fine Gael is committed to working with international partners, including the EU and the UN, across a broad range of issues from peacekeeping to conflict resolution to overseas development assistance, such as the World Food Programme.

“In Fine Gael, we believe that the fundamental priority of any state is the protection of its territory and its people. That is why we are fully committed to the Irish Defence Forces, with measures to boost recruitment and training as well as investment in equipment and facilities.

“Following the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, we are aiming for Level of Ambition two now while striving for Level of Ambition three so that our Defence Forces have the full-spectrum of defence capabilities comparable to similar-sized countries in Europe.
“All of this is in keeping with Fine Gael’s commitment to strengthen Ireland’s defence capabilities while preserving our long-standing policy of active military neutrality.”

Sinn Féin

“Neutrality has long been the cornerstone of Irish foreign policy and it should continue to be so. Neutrality is the foundation upon which Ireland champions engagement, diplomacy, the primacy of human rights and the prevention and resolution of conflict through dialogue.

“Sinn Féin rejects the moves taken by the Irish Government to undermine Irish neutrality and dismantle the triple lock. We also reject the EU’s and Britain’s pursuit of hyper-militarisation, escalating an arms race by wasting billions of public monies on weapons rather than investing in the infrastructure and public services we badly need.

“Peace is not achieved by financing war. The focus of the international community should be on working towards peace and negotiation. Our own peace process is evidence of the importance of dialogue and cooperation.

“Sinn Féin’s priorities include:

• asserting the primacy of multilateralism within our multipolar world – this must be strengthened not weakened;
• maintaining the triple lock neutrality protection;
• holding a referendum to enshrine neutrality in the Irish Constitution;
• rebuilding our Defence Forces;
• opposing advances in the EU towards a centralised military framework and any move away from the requirement for unanimity in the making of EU Foreign Affairs and Defence Policies;
• advocating for a more peaceful, equal and equitable international relations system; and
• encouraging peacebuilding, dialogue, and conflict resolution in Ukraine, Palestine, and elsewhere, using our own peace process as an example of hope and prosperity.”

Labour Party

The Labour Party states: “Ireland should not compromise on our long-established position of military neutrality but equally, we cannot be politically neutral in the face of imperial aggression or genocide. Our position of neutrality and support of the triple lock protects our Defence Forces.”

Social Democrats

The Social Democrats state: “Through our participation in EU and UN institutions the Social Democrats are committed to supporting diplomatic efforts towards peaceful and durable solutions to conflict in accordance with international law, as well as advocating and participating in the global struggle against hunger, famine, and extreme poverty.”

Independent Ireland

Independent Ireland states: “Independent Ireland supports maintaining the existing triple-lock mechanism. We are supportive of Ireland’s role within the EU, but oppose joining a multinational EU Defence Force. Our small island nation can play a larger role in facilitating peaceful international relations by remaining a neutral mediator, and Ireland should remain committed to its historical neutrality.”
People Before Profit

“People Before Profit aims to:

• defend Irish neutrality fully and make Ireland a voice for peace and against war;
• end the use of Shannon by the US military;
• reject any moves to end the triple lock and expose efforts to send Irish troops to fight foreign wars;
• withdraw from PESCO – This is a commitment to raise defence spending in preparation for joining NATO;
• withdraw from Partnership for Peace which aligns Ireland with NATO; and
• condemn Russian invasion of Ukraine – call for peace talks rather than supporting EU efforts to intensify war.”

Aontú

“Aontú supports the triple lock as key to neutrality; opposes treaty change; opposes moves towards a military alliance; seeks adequate spending on the army, naval, and cyber defences; and seeks to devolve foreign policy back to the nation states.”

Green Party

The Green Party states: “The Green Party is committed to active military neutrality and views it as an essential platform for our deployment of soft power, and for our credible support for multilateralism and the rule of law.”