Join the March for Neutrality, 2pm Sat 14th June, Garden of Remembrance

The protest arises from joint opposition by parties and independents to the government’s attempt to pass the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 to remove the Triple Lock Neutrality Protection and a nationwide campaign by civil society groups and communities to protect Ireland's neutrality.

The June 14th protest is supported by the main opposition parties and independents in the Oireachtas, peace and anti-war groups and Palestine solidarity groups. There will be music from some of Ireland’s new generation folk musicians; Landless, John Francis Flynn and Lisa O’Neill.

This national mobilisation intends to make visible on the streets the majority popular support for Ireland’s long and proud tradition of active neutrality and international peacekeeping. The government’s undemocratic moves to dismantle the triple lock, a direct attack on neutrality and its safeguards will be met by opposition both inside and outside the dáil.

Speaking ahead of the march, Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, Civil Engagement Group said,

 “At a meeting of the Defence Committee on May 29^th, the Department of Defence confirmed that the Defence Amendment Act 2006 allows Ireland to act on the basis of UN General Assembly resolutions, something that has happened before and is being discussed again in the context of UN reform. The Department testimony also confirmed that the kinds of large-scale deployment which could occur if the Triple Lock was removed, could include EU or NATO lead missions and ‘coalitions of the willing’ such as we saw in Iraq, not only for peace keeping but also into situations of active conflict including for purposes of ‘strengthening international security’ which is an ambiguous phrase which they have failed to define.

 Their proposals are dangerous and damaging for Ireland’s credibility as a voice for peace and international law and would undermine our relationship with the UN when we should be instead leading efforts to strengthen and reform it.”

 Kirsten Farrelly, Mothers Against Genocide, said,

 "Mothers Against Genocide don't want our kids to become cannon fodder. We value our neutrality and refuse to commodify human beings to fight in wars that enrich the 1%."

 Sinéad Gibney TD, Social Democrats said,

“With the publication of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025, we see just how much this government is willing to compromise our neutrality, and why we need to hit the streets, stand up for peace and neutrality, and defend our triple lock.

 When our government refuses to stand up and lead on the genocide in Gaza, it's difficult to believe that without the safeguards of the triple lock, and specifically the requirement for a UN mandate, that they wouldn't follow other countries into non-neutral military intervention.

 It's clear from months of questions and debate on this issue that this government is not committed to neutrality. With every justification for removal of the triple lock we pick apart, they come up with a new line to spin it. But one thing consistent across all these reasons is that while they are effective in spreading fear and confusion, they don't stand up to any kind of serious scrutiny.”

 Jenny Maguire, Trinity College Student Union President, said,

“Neutrality is a strength, not something to look down upon. Generations of young people have stood up to war mongering, war profiteering, and the senseless loss of life it brings. We all must come out and protect our neutrality”

 Paul Murphy TD, People Before Profit, said,

 "The Department of Defence has admitted that abolition of the Triple Lock would allow Irish troops to be sent anywhere in the world with no need for UN approval. So Irish troops could be sent to fight and die as part of US or UK-led “coalitions of the willing” like the war on Iraq, or to full combat operations commanded by the EU or NATO. Public opinion is overwhelmingly against involving Irish soldiers in imperialist wars. We have the chance now to stop this. We need to get out and protest and show the government that we won’t stand for this full frontal assault on Irish neutrality.”

 Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, Sinn Féin, said

"We want to send a clear message to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael - keep your hands off Irish neutrality.

Neutrality goes to the heart of who we are as a people, goes to the heart of what it means to be Irish. It’s a shared value that binds us together, that looks out into the world and seeks not war, but peace.

It is our strength, valued by the Irish people, and must be protected. We stand firmly against the Government’s move to undermine Irish neutrality and dismantle the Triple Lock Neutrality Protection.

We say to government - put the question to the people and you’ll get your answer loud and clear."

 Duncan Smith TD, Labour Party said,

“I cannot envision a deployment of peacekeepers without a UN mandate and that is a view shared not only by the majority of Irish people, but by all those who believe in multilateralism and peace. It begs the question, why remove the Triple Lock? In what circumstances would Ireland deploy troops overseas on non UN peacekeeping missions. I cannot countenance such an instance so it’s removal it’s needless and must be retained”