Rebel TD Neasa Hourigan fears she could lose Green Party whip again over her opposition to neutrality triple-lock change

Neasa Hourigan is currently without the party whip – but is due to be re-admitted to Green ranks in the middle of next month.

She had her whip suspended last year after for voting against a Government motion on the eviction ban.

The Dublin Central deputy fears her party position will again be at risk when the Government moves to switch to a double lock in the autumn.

A Green Party spokesman said at a briefing last week that the party was on board with Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s plans to scrap the need for a UN mandate before Irish soldiers serve overseas.

Besides UN approval, the other ­elements of the current lock involve the Government making a decision followed by Dáil approval.

Dropping the UN mandate would mean only cabinet approval is needed before a government uses its majority to drive through the Dáil a deployment of more than 12 service personnel.

Ms Hourigan claimed the Green Party policy committee had only recently reaffirmed its commitment to the triple lock – while its protection was in the Programme for Government.

She predicted widespread unrest in the party – “particularly among the membership” – if the safeguards were watered down.

Ms Hourigan pointed out that Green members, including former leader John Gormley, attended the Tánaiste’s security forums around the country last year and spoke in favour of retaining the triple lock.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin argues, however, that the current situation effectively gives Russia and China unwarranted control – through their blocking ability – on Irish foreign policy.

Asked how she would vote on the issue if a double lock emerges in the autumn in legislation authorised by the Cabinet this week, Ms Hourigan said: “I’m not going to commit myself right now.”

Meanwhile, her sister Niamh, who is Labour’s European Parliament candidate for the Ireland South Constituency, expressed alarm at the plans.

She said removal of the triple lock would amount to de-facto removal of traditional Irish policy, resulting in “neutrality in name only”.

The existing stance was hugely important, she added. “The Government has failed to give a legitimate reason for a move away from this long-standing position. People need to know that Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party cannot be trusted to safeguard Irish neutrality. As long as neutrality is Ireland’s official position – which can only be changed by referendum – then the triple lock has to be central.”

Neasa Hourigan said the triple lock had already been “effectively endorsed by various referendums”, adding: “It would be a big step to change it.”