Hundreds of academic staff and other university workers have signed a letter expressing alarm at Cabinet's decision to remove the Triple Lock.
The Triple Lock guarantees that no more than 12 Irish soldiers can be sent into battle zones without the permission of the Government, the Dáil, and the United Nations Security Council.
The draft legislation removes the requirement for UNSC authorisation.
Under the bill, the number of soldiers that could be deployed as part of any mission would increase from 12 to 50.
The letter, which is addressed to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, states that the Triple Lock is a central component of Ireland's neutral position and argues that its removal "may sound the death knell of Irish neutrality".
In their letter the university academics argue that by undoing the Triple Lock, "Ireland will significantly weaken its commitment to the UN system, UN peace-keeping and multilateralism".
It says this would come at a time when the UN faces unprecedented challenges, "particularly in the context of Israel’s genocidal war on Palestine", and it reminds the Taoiseach of an assertion he made more than ten years ago while in opposition, that the UN was "an essential part of the international system".
"It is easy to be neutral in times of peace. The real test, and where it matters most, is being neutral in times of war and heightened conflict," the letter states.
Read more: What is Ireland's Triple Lock mechanism?
The letter has been signed by 400 mostly academic staff from universities including more than 100 from UCD, more than 50 from Trinity College, 50 from Maynooth University, as well as academic staff and researchers from UCC, Galway University, DCU, UL and other third level institutions.
Citing a recent opinion poll which found 75% of Irish people favour maintaining Ireland’s current policy of neutrality, the letter questions the mandate of the Government to revoke the Triple Lock.
"At a time when the world appears to be on the brink of a global war and potential nuclear catastrophe, we urgently need global leaders to courageously face down warmongers and redouble their commitment to peace and neutrality, to genuine multilateralism, and to upholding the rule of law," the letter states.
It says protecting the Triple Lock would send a message to the Irish people and to the global community that Ireland intends to do precisely that.
