Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 15 Jun 1994

Vol. 443 No. 8

Written Answers. - Rwandan Relief.

Mary Harney

Question:

14 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Justice her response to the appeal by Concern that members of the Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces who are willing to go to Rwanda to help with the emergency situation there will be given leave of absence from the Garda and the Defence Forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I have had no direct request from Concern in this matter. Within the past few days I have received representations on behalf of the organisation from a Member of this House. The position inso-far as the Garda Síochána is concerned is as follows. I cannot answer for the Minister for Defence.

The Garda authorities are not in favour of extending leave of absence to members wishing to serve abroad on an individual basis. They consider it better that existing arrangements whereby members of the Force may be sent abroad on the basis of United Nations requests, which is now established and well structured, should continue to be followed. Any request from the United Nations for Garda assistance in its missions is considered in the light of available resources and it is open to any member of the Force to apply to serve abroad with the Garda Síochána as part of a United Nations contingent when details of such missions are circularised within the Force. Fifty-nine members of the Garda Síochána are currently serving with the United Nations in Cyprus, Mozambique, Somalia and the former Yugoslavia.