andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for External Affairs whether a request has been made for the supply of a further contingent of troops for the Congo; whether the Government have considered the matter; and whether the Dáil will be afforded an opportunity of discussing the propriety of sending further contingents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Congo Contingents.
10.
As was announced by my Department on April 21st a request was received from the United Nations that we make available two further infantry companies to be integrated with the 34th Battalion and to reinforce it.
At the same time the Secretary General emphasised the continuing need for Irish troops in the Congo and requested that the 34th Battalion be replaced when its term of duty expires in July.
The Government having considered these requests decided to act under Section 2 (2) (C) of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1960, which provides that a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force may be despatched for service outside the State with a particular International United Nations Force without a resolution approving of such despatch having been passed by Dáil Éireann, if, "the contingent is intended to replace, in whole or in part, or reinforce a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force serving outside the State as part of that International United Nations Force and consisting of more than twelve members of the Permanent Defence Force."
The Dáil already discussed on two occasions, last July and in December, the question of sending Irish troops to join the United Nations Force in the Congo and approved that course.
Further discussion, if desired, could appropriately take place on the Estimate for the Department of External Affairs.
Surely it will be a little bit late to have a discussion on the matter on the Estimate for the Department of External Affairs if the troops have been sent before that?
The Deputy is making a statement, not asking a question.
The Dáil has decided and the Government have decided this question in accordance with the decision of the Dáil.
May I ask the Minister if he is satisfied that we have sufficient troops for home service, for providing garrisons and other duties, and at the same time to supply the request for extra troops in the Congo?
Yes.
Is the Minister also satisfied that he can meet this request without imposing additional hardships on the troops left at home? There is no answer to that.