Ireland votes to end UN veto over overseas peacekeeping missions

Irish lawmakers voted Wednesday in favour of controversial legislation to scrap a mechanism preventing the overseas deployment of Irish military peacekeepers without a green light from the United Nations. The Dail, Ireland's lower house of parliament, approved the bill by 79 votes to 71, despite opposition warnings that the move threatens the country's longstanding military neutrality. Ireland is not a NATO member, but its small defence force of just over 8,000 personnel has traditionally engaged in international peacekeeping operations. Currently three steps -- dubbed a "triple lock" -- have to be taken before more than 12 members of the Irish defence forces can be sent abroad on any mission. The first and second steps are green lights from the government and parliament, with the third step -- UN approval -- now set to be scrapped. The government argues that Ireland should be able to respond to crises without waiting for approval from the UN Security Council. Read moreIreland–Israel nations League clash overshadowed by political tensions It has become increasingly concerned about the effective veto given to the council's five permanent members -- China, France, Russia, Britain and...