Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has questioned whether the Triple Lock mechanism remains fit for purpose in a speech in the Dáil.
The Triple Lock requires that in order to deploy Irish troops abroad for peacekeeping or European Union missions, the mission must have the approval of the Government, the Dáil and the backing of a United Nations resolution.
The Tánaiste's speech is part of Dáil statements on the new consultative forum on international security policy, which is examining Ireland's policy of military neutrality.
Mr Martin said the forum needs to examine what the imposition of the UN Security Council veto means for Ireland's ability to pursue an independent foreign policy, including the implications for the Triple Lock.
"With the experience of recent years, can we genuinely and honestly say that the Triple Lock remains fit for purpose?"
Mr Martin said the forum can also examine Ireland's participation in the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and what this means in practice.
"I hope the Forum will also allow us to put aside for good, the fictional notion that Europe's Common Foreign and Security Policy is a stepping stone to a European army - a concept which no country in Europe wants or is considering.
"Instead, the discussion will allow us to outline the nuances and different possibilities of international engagement, and the ways in which others have responded to the changing international security context."
The forum will take place in June in Dublin, Cork and Galway and it will be chaired by Louise Richardson, the former vice-chancellor of Oxford University.
Mr Martin said that as Ireland is currently negotiating an updated partnership framework with NATO, the forum offers an opportunity to explore potential areas of mutual interest between NATO and the State including maritime security, cyber and hybrid, climate and security, and resilience and critical infrastructure.
He added that the discussion will include what the current policy of military neutrality means, whether it is fit for purpose in the current global security environment and whether we need to define more clearly what we do, and do not, mean by military neutrality.
The Tánaiste said the Government is not prejudging the outcome of any of the discussions at the forum and that "there is no hidden agenda at play".
'Blatant attempt to undermine' neutrality
Sinn Féin has accused the Government of a "blatant attempt to undermine" Ireland's neutrality by establishing a consultative forum to discuss the policy.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Matt Carthy said that the appropriate forum for such a discussion would be a Citizen's Assembly.
"The proposed format of the Consultative Forum minimises the input of the public and opposition parties," he said.
"Those contributing will be appointed by Government, and their contributions will lead to a report authored the forums chair, also appointed by Government."
He said Sinn Féin also believes that neutrality should be enshrined in the constitution through a referendum.
Labour TD Brendan Howlin said the report of the forum must come back to the Oireachtas for discussion and not go directly to the Government.
Fianna Fáil Justice Spokesperson Jim O'Callaghan said any decisions on Ireland's defence and security will be made by elected representatives and the Government, so he was not concerned about the establishment of the forum.
He said Ireland needs stronger defence policy, but that does not mean the State should give up neutrality or join NATO.
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the forum was part of a sustained campaign by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to dismantle Irish neutrality.
He said the Government was cynically using Russia's barbaric invasion of Ukraine to advance a project within NATO and the EU of ratcheting up militarisation, developing an EU army and moving closer to US foreign policy.
