Higgins criticises plan to drop UN mandate
Former president Michael D Higgins has said Ireland is "sliding" into military alliances under the Government's plan to scrap the triple lock. He made the remarks in an Irish Examiner interview published on Saturday 24 October 2026, after a heated Dáil debate in which opposition members called for a referendum on the proposed changes.
The former president questioned the Government's account of the reform. "I would say now because I've had so much time to think about it, I think that it's less than honest not to give the full story when you're talking about going into preparatory alliances, and I really do feel that because I dealt with senior army people in my 15 years as president," he said.
"In fact, actually, what you're having, and critics are right in saying it, is that people are sliding into things rather than choosing to decide to go into things." The interview also ranged across Gaza, climate change and artificial intelligence, which he warned is now a threat to democracy.
Irish Examiner
- Michael D Higgins warns Ireland is ‘sliding’ into military alliances over triple lock
Mr Higgins's comments on the triple lock come after a heated debate in the Dáil this week during which members of the opposition called for a referendum on the proposed changes.