UN veto on Irish troop missions dominates security forum

Protesters stand as Tánaiste Micheal Martin and forum chairwoman Professor Louise Richardson attend the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy at University of Galway. Picture: Brian Lawless

Irish Governments should have the power to send troops abroad to deal with a humanitarian crisis without requiring UN approval, the former deputy head of the Defence Forces has said.

Retired major general Kieran Brennan, who commanded a number of peacekeeping missions, made the comment at a contested debate on the issue at the Forum on International Security Policy.