Vol. 474 No. 6
22 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Defence if he will guarantee that Irish troops will be fully trained and properly equipped and armed if they join a rapid response force under the command of Western European Union, NATO or other organisations. [3642/97]
It is my policy to ensure that Defence Forces personnel who take part in peacekeeping operations are adequately trained and equipped for that purpose.
The Government recently agreed to Defence Forces participation in the United Nations Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS) within the limit of 850 personnel approximately. I am not aware of any proposals for a rapid response force under the command of the Western European Union or NATO.
