Taoiseach rules out NATO membership as triple lock debate intensifies
Martin insists Ireland is 'militarily neutral' while minister accuses Sinn Féin of 'misinformation' on troop deployment reform
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has firmly ruled out Ireland joining NATO, responding to warnings from former president Michael D Higgins that the Government's plan to reform the triple lock system risks undermining Irish neutrality. The Government is pushing ahead with legislation to remove the requirement for UN Security Council approval before deploying peacekeeping troops, after the Dáil passed the bill by 79 votes to 71.