Ireland votes to end UN veto over overseas peacekeeping missions

Irish lawmakers have voted to eliminate the requirement for UN approval before deploying military peacekeepers abroad, passing the bill by a narrow margin. This decision has raised concerns among opposition members about the potential erosion of Ireland's military neutrality. Currently, a 'triple lock' mechanism requires government, parliamentary, and UN consent for overseas missions. The government argues that this change will allow for quicker responses to crises, citing the dysfunction of the UN Security Council. The proposed legislation also increases the number of soldiers that can be deployed without parliamentary approval from 12 to 50. Opposition leaders warn that this move could lead to closer ties with NATO and demand a public referendum on the issue.