A Fine Gael Bill aimed at easing restrictions on Irish troops entering into peace keeping missions proposes allowing Irish engagement without reference to the United Nations.
Under the current so-called 'triple lock' system, any potential Irish military action must be endorsed by a full UN mandate establishing or authorising an International UN force, approved by Dáil Éireann, and agreed within the Government.
The International Peace Missions Bill (2003) aims to bypass the UN mandate part of the process so that Irish troops could be involved in EU backed humanitarian and rescue tasks, peace-keeping and the tasks of combat forces in crisis management.
As an example, Fine Gael cite the current situation in Macedonia where Irish troops cannot take part in an EU peace keeping mission (Operation Concordia) there as there is no UN resolution backing such a force.
The new Bill would allow Irish troops to be part of such an EU backed mission as long as it was in the spirit of the UN Charter.
The party's spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Mr Gay Mitchell said: "In peace-keeping and enforcement, we will decide for ourselves what does and does not meet the UN Charter requirements and would not be vetoed on this issue in future by Security Council Members acting selfishly".
But Labour Party spokesperson on foreign affairs, Mr Michael D Higgins, said he does not believe that it would be wise for the Dáil adopt the proposal.
He said there was an urgent need for United Nations reform and this must include the use of the veto that is available only to the permanent members of the Security Council.
"However, it would be unwise for Ireland to abandon the 'triple-lock' mechanism that is required beforeIrish troops can be sent abroad. This procedure has served us well and has allowed Irish participation in almost all appropriate situations of conflict requiring the presence of international peace-keeping forces," he said.