Vol. 533 No. 4
20 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the consideration given by him to participation by the Defence Forces, together with those of other European Union member states, in a new peacekeeping mission to facilitate the resolution of the current crisis affecting Macedonia; and the discussions which have taken place to date at European Union level concerning the creation of such a mission. [8838/01]
91 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the consideration given by him to participation by the Defence Forces, together with those of other European Union member states, in a new peacekeeping mission to facilitate the resolution of the current crisis affecting Macedonia; and the discussions which have taken place to date at European Union level concerning the creation of such a mission. [9167/01]
Will the Minister clarify what commitment Ireland has made to an EU rapid reaction force and when it may be effective? Ireland has some observers in Macedonia who are part of a preventative deployment force, but there were reports that they were withdrawn. Will the Minister outline the current position regarding those personnel? Is he satisfied regarding their security? Does he envisage that they will return to Macedonia in the short term? If not, what does he think will happen?
The national support element comprises four personnel from the Irish contingent serving with the international security presence in Kosovo and they are based at Skopje airport, Macedonia. Three members of the Defence Forces serving with the United Nations mission in Kosovo are also based in Skopje. I am satisfied about the safety and security of all 108 members of the Defence Forces serving in the region. There are no Irish troops on the Kosovan-Macedonian border. I hope to visit Kosovo tomorrow to see at first hand what is happening there and to review the position. However, all the indications are that the troops are fine from a safety and security point of view.
The commitment to the European rapid reaction force will comprise 850 troops committed under the UNSAS agreement to the United Nations. The Deputy asked when this might arise. I cannot answer that at present but it is the intention to have the commitments and capabilities ready to be exercised in 2003. In the meantime, training, inter-operability and other programmes consistent with our military neutrality can be undertaken. It will be at least 2003 before there are any definite conclusions in that area.
I thank the Minister for his reply and wish him well during his visit to Kosovo. Will he agree that as part of this EU rapid reaction force members of the Irish Defence Forces will need to take part in training and other operations? To my knowledge, it is not possible under current legislation for members of the Irish Army to train with foreign armies. Will the Government introduce legislation to deal with this issue? Will the Minister agree there is a great deal of misunderstanding in regard to the difference between the EU rapid reaction force, the Partnership for Peace and the UN and it might be helpful if his Department issued a booklet to set out clearly the situation, particularly in advance of the Nice Treaty? Some people arouse suspicion as a result of lack of clarity. There is an obligation on Ireland to make contributions to the EU and world peace in general. Traditionally we have said it would be good to do something but the time has come when we must do something.
The time is up for this question. We must now proceed to Question No. 21.
I wish to thank Deputy Timmins for the content of his remarks. Whenever I visit countries where atrocities and holocausts have taken place, I always ask, could the international community have done something to prevent this happening? I often mention the former People's Park in Sarajevo which is now a graveyard for 10,800 individuals, including 1,800 children. When the advocates of non-intervention and standing back from all of this—
I now call Question No. 21.
