Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin has said that he is in favour of the abolition of the Triple Lock, which requires Ireland to get UN approval if it wants to send Defence Forces personnel abroad as peacekeepers.
The former Dublin football manager became the party's presidential candidate today after winning a secret ballot by 41 votes to MEP Billy Kelleher's 29.
Speaking on RTÉ's Six One News, Mr Gavin said Ireland is a democratic, sovereign and independent state, which should "have the confidence as a nation in terms of the executive, the government, the Oireachtas, to make decisions where we put our troops".
"That is a yes," he said when asked if he was in favour of the abolition of the Triple Lock.
Under existing rules, any foreign deployment of 12 or more Irish Defence Forces personnel can only take place when it has been approved by the Dáil, the Government and has received a United Nations mandate.
The draft legislation proposed by the Government removes the requirement for United Nations Security Council authorisation.
Under the proposed bill, the number of soldiers that could be deployed as part of any mission would increase from 12 to 50.
After receiving Fianna Fáil's nomination to contest the Presidential Election, the former Dublin football manager said that he looked forward to getting on the road and visiting communities.
Watch: RTÉ Six One News interview with Jim Gavin
Mr Gavin, whose name has never been on a ballot paper before, said that the political route "was not the only way to serve your country".
"I've served for 20 years in Óglaigh na hÉireann," he said.
"My life has been really entwined by service, service to people, service to the community, service to the country and that's what speaks to me".
He added: "I've chaired the Senate Assembly for Dublin and the Government asked me over three years ago, to chair the North East Inner City Initiative to put investment into one of the most disadvantaged areas, a great part of Dublin, but one of the most disadvantaged.
"In my lifetime, I've been involved in service, as I said, for the people, for the community and for the country."
Mr Gavin said he felt "it wasn't his position" to comment on public affairs during his reign as Dublin GAA manager, having not expressed opinions during previous referenda when other figures across the GAA did.
"In my time in Óglaigh na hÉireann, legally, ethically, we couldn't be a part of a political party. I've carried my ethos forward in terms of my public service," he said.
"Indeed, when I was manager of the Dublin Football team, over 12 consecutive years, seven with the senior team, I'm representing the Dublin GAA.
"It wasn't my position, I believed, to express my thoughts on referendum or anything."
Mr Gavin said his attention was now going to turn to showing Ireland "the authentic me".
"My role now is to get out into the communities around Ireland, to show the authentic me, to show how passionate I am for the country that I believe in.
"I believe that the presidency has a vital role for Ireland, and I look forward over the next 45 days to visiting every constituency, every county as best I can to rally the troops and vote for me as their president," he said.
Fianna Fáil TDs, Senators and MEPs gathered at 11.30am on the fifth floor of Leinster House to listen to Mr Gavin and Mr Kelleher speak for ten minutes each, before the secret ballot got under way.
At around lunchtime, it was announced that Mr Gavin had been victorious, although it was a very strong showing by Mr Kelleher - given the leadership of the party was against him.
Asked why he had avoided the media, Mr Gavin told reporters that it was rather out of respect for the parliamentary process, he felt it important to meet all the members of the parliamentary party, adding that now it was important to get out and meet people in the community.
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On whether he was conservative socially, he said he was a centrist and a constitutional republican.
On repealing the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution, he said it was a difficult moral decision for the country, but ultimately became about women's rights and what was right for women and the right to choose.
"So I voted yes, in the Repeal the 8th (referendum)," he said.
"In terms of marriage equality, I'm all for equality, I think Ireland sent a very strong signal out , in terms that we're a progressive nation, that we're inclusive, so I voted yes," he added.
Mr Gavin is from Clondalkin in Dublin.
His considerable task now, in the few weeks left before polling day, is to explain to the wider public who he is and what is his vision for the presidency.
Mr Gavin was the candidate favoured by party leader Micheál Martin, and backed by the Fianna Fáil senior ministers.
Last month, Mr Martin said his party had nominated people before who had never had experience as a TD or a minister, including Douglas Hyde, Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, and Mary McAleese.
The Taoiseach said it was a very good morning for Fianna Fáil and paid tribute to Mr Kelleher, saying he worked well with him.
Speaking after the vote, Mr Kelleher said he "fully supports and endorses" Mr Gavin.
He said: "I will canvas every day I can to ensure that he is elected because he shares the values that I share, and that's why I want to ensure that we hold this debate so we can find out what we stand for and I'm very confident with endorsement of the parliamentary party, that he will be an exceptionally brilliant candidate."
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Mr Kelleher added: "I had to put my best foot forward in terms of the campaign.
"I've engaged with all the colleagues, I spoke today at the parliamentary party. Maybe the speech might have convinced one or two more, I'm not sure. But look, the bottom line is I didn't win it.
"Jim Gavin is now the final candidate, and we'll get behind him. But from my perspective, I'm very pleased with the showing and it shows that we should never be afraid of debate in a political party."
Catherine Connolly welcomes Jim Gavin to contest
Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly said: "I wish to welcome Jim Gavin to the presidential election. Fianna Fáil has conducted its candidate selection process openly and have made their decision.
"There are now three declared candidates who will be on the ballot paper. The 24th October will be an important day in the democratic life of our nation."
Ms Connolly said she was excited about the campaign, adding that she will be travelling to towns, parishes, libraries and halls all over the country.
"It is a wonderful opportunity to talk with people about my vision for a country driven by hope and shared dreams," she said.
"I also look forward to debating all the issues that are important to people with Heather Humphreys and Jim Gavin in the weeks ahead. We have different visions for Ireland and it is important that people have the opportunity to hear our visions and our plans for the presidency".
Read: Martin must own FF decision on Gavin, and any failure
