Tanaiste Simon Harris said that Ireland’s system for deploying peacekeepers cannot be “seconded” to figures like Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mr Harris defended the Irish government’s plans to amend the “triple lock” amid warnings from the opposition that the proposal would undermine Irish neutrality.
It comes amid statements from Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Mr Harris suggesting that Ireland’s defensive capabilities will be developed amid increased instability around the world.
Earlier this month, Mr Martin told the Cork Chamber Annual Dinner that Ireland can “no longer shy away from” defence, military and security and would not “get to sit on the sidelines”.
Asked about a comment made by Mr Martin in 2013, when he said the triple lock was at “the core” of Irish neutrality, Mr Harris said: “the world has changed”.
“There was a time we used to invite Russian presidents to this country and shake their hands and welcome and engage, he’s now invading a country on the continent of Europe, the context has changed,” he told the Dail on Wednesday.
Opposition politicians argued that the change would undermine Ireland’s neutrality which is a valuable commodity on the global stage.
Independent TD Catherine Connolly said there had been “a carefully choreographed campaign to get rid of our neutrality”.
Sinn Fein’s Donnchadh O Laoghaire said “it feels as if there is constantly just something that’s all said in relation to this”.
“We have had referendums (on EU membership) in the past, and a lot of weight was put on the fact that the triple lock existed and that this was a defence for neutrality.
“So whatever about your bona fide is, I think the effect of this is to undermine Irish neutrality.”
Members of the Ukrainian community in Ireland (Brian Lawless/PA)
Mr Harris said: “I’m in favour of Irish neutrality. The government of Ireland is in favour of Irish neutrality. The government of Ireland values Irish neutrality.
“But you know what else I’m in favour of? I also value this place, the democratic mandate of the men and women who get elected to Dail Eireann in terms of decisions in relation to our Defence Forces.
“And the idea of seconding that out to anybody else is ludicrous in itself.
“The idea of seconding it out to anybody else, that includes Vladimir Putin, is downright illogical.”
Currently, Ireland cannot deploy more than 12 Irish soldiers on peacekeeping missions overseas without it being approved by the UN Security Council, the Irish Government and the Dail.
Mr Harris, who is minister for defence and foreign affairs, is to bring a proposal to Cabinet next month to amend the system for deploying soldiers on peacekeeping, crisis management and evacuation missions.
The exact change being proposed by the government has not yet been outlined.
It is expected to propose removing the vote of the UN Security Council, in which the US, Russia, China, France and the UK can use a veto on deploying Irish soldiers on peacekeeping missions.