Irish troop missions 'held hostage' by UN veto, says former army colonel

Former Colonel Colm Doyletold the Oireachtas Defence Committee that claims that the removal of the UN authorisation obligation would threaten Ireland’s military neutrality were 'greatly misjudged'. File photo: Liam Burke/Press 22

The requirement that any Irish international peacekeeping deployment must have the authorisation of the UN Security Council means Ireland can be “effectively held hostage” by any of its five members, a senior retired army officer has said.

Former Colonel Colm Doyle – who has also served at UN HQ – told the Oireachtas Defence Committee that claims that the removal of the UN authorisation obligation would threaten Ireland’s military neutrality were “greatly misjudged”.