Vol. 533 No. 4
22 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence if the Government has approved the deployment in April 2001 of a further UNIFIL contingent by the Defence Forces; and if he proposes that the Defence Forces participate in any new UN mission in the Middle East. [8836/01]
92 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence if the Government has approved the deployment in April 2001 of a further UNIFIL contingent by the Defence Forces; and if he proposes that the Defence Forces participate in any new United Nations mission in the Middle East. [9168/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 92 together.
As I indicated to the House on 14 February 2001, the Government on 18 October 2000 approved the provision of a replacement contingent to UNIFIL for a six month period beginning 30 October 2000 and also authorised the making of preparations for the selection of a further contingent to provide for the possibility of Ireland's continued participation in UNIFIL beyond April 2001. On 30 January 2001 the UN Security Council extended the UNIFIL mandate to 31 July 2001. In his six monthly report to the Security Council on 22 January 2001, the UN Secretary-General stated that two of the three parts of the UNIFIL mandate have essentially now been completed, confirmation of the withdrawal of the Israeli forces and assisting as far as possible the Lebanese authorities to return to the vacated area. The focus of UNIFIL is now on the remaining part of the mandate, which is the restoration of international peace and security, that is, patrolling, liaison, close contact with the parties with a view to correcting violations and preventing the escalation of incidents. He foresaw that the need for the UN to perform such functions would continue to exist for the foreseeable future.
He stated that these functions are those of an observer mission. However, in view of the conditions in the region the Secretary-General was reluctant to entrust the task to unarmed observers alone and recommended a reconfiguration based on a combination of armed infantry and unarmed observers. In this regard he suggested two infantry battalions and a group of United National Truce Supervision Organisation, UNTSO, observers. In view of the situation in the region he advised, as a prudent first approach, returning the strength of UNIFIL to that which pertained before it was augmented last year after the Israeli withdrawal which was some 4,500 all ranks. The Security Council tasked him to take the necessary measures to implement this decision by 31 July 2001, taking account of up-coming rotations of battalions in consultation with the Government of Lebanon and the troop contributing countries.
The UN Security Council requested the UN Secretary-General to submit a detailed report by 30 April 2001 on UNIFIL reconfiguration plans and on the tasks that could be carried out by observers as part of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation, UNTSO. On foot of this report the Security Council will review the situation in early May 2001 and will consider any steps it deems appropriate regarding UNIFIL and UNTSO. The Security Council is due to consider the UNIFIL mandate in July 2001.
The review by the Secretary-General in early May 2001 will determine the nature and level of the force to be deployed in south Lebanon for the longer term. In the meantime the Secretary-General has decided, as one of a number of steps, to reduce the Irish contingent by 50 personnel, the reduction to be effected during the next planned rotation in April-May 2001. This would reduce the strength of the Irish battalion to 559. It is proposed that the six months rotation in April 2001 will take place on the basis of the reduction sought by the UN and I propose seeking the approval of the Government for this course of action at an early date. A battalion is in training to this end. I have indicated on a number of occasions, including during my recent visit to Lebanon, my desire that the Irish battalion could withdraw from UNIFIL by the end of this year on the basis that the task of UNIFIL has been largely completed. The question of participation by the Defence Forces in the reconfigured force in Lebanon, in the event of a request from the UN being received, will be a matter for consideration at the appropriate time.
As I have indicated to the House previously, Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations in relation to the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements System, UNSAS. Ireland has committed up to 850 military personnel for UN service at any one time under UNSAS. There would, however, be no obligation to participate in any mission and Dáil approval would be required for the dispatch of a contingent to a specific operation. The decision to participate in UNSAS is a tangible expression of Ireland's continuing commitment to involvement in peacekeeping operations.
The matter of Defence Forces participation in overseas missions is kept under regular review. The function of the standing interdepartmental committee on peacekeeping under the chairmanship of the Department of Foreign Affairs is, inter alia, to provide a forum for the exchange of views on policy issues relating to Ireland's participation in international peacekeeping with a view to increasing the effectiveness and coherence of policy in this area and to ensure that policy and its implementation can keep pace in a co-ordinated way with developments in international peacekeeping. The matter of the deployment of units of the Defence Forces overseas is being kept under continual review and account will be taken of the decisions of the UN Security Council in the coming months in relation to the future of UNIFIL when considering future deployments of contingents of the Defence Forces on missions overseas.
I thank the Minister for his reply. Is it correct to say that matters are up in the air until we see the report on 13 April? Has the Minister, through the Minister for Foreign Affairs, sought to have the status quo remain until next October? On 22 January the Security Council extended the UNIFIL mandate to 31 July next. Does the Minister foresee the Irish troops withdrawing at that stage or will a small contingent remain in place? I read recent newspaper reports on observers being put into Israel. What are the Minister's views on this proposal?
Has the Minister received feedback from the Irish commander on the ground? Does the Irish contingent believe the time has come to pull out? Will a new UN resolution be necessary for the contingent to continue beyond 31 July?
During my visit to Lebanon last year I indicated that I foresaw the Irish troops concluding their work in south Lebanon this year. I reiterated this when I visited the troops on St. Patrick's Day. We must bear in mind that the two main aspects of the UN mandate for Lebanon have been completed, we have been in south Lebanon for 23 years, the situation there is calm and normal and the reports given to me by the force commander and the Irish officer in charge were extremely positive for the future. Needless to say, we have to await the outcome of the UN Secretary-General's final report on 31 July.
Bearing in mind that the battalion was trained and ready to go, I was anxious that it would complete its six month tour, which would bring it up to the end of October. Notwithstanding what might happen in the meantime, this will bring to an end the main contribution made by Irish troops over the years. What happens after that is a matter for the United Nations, but it looks like it will be an observer force supported by armed elements. Beyond that, I cannot tell the House anything else until such time as we receive the final deliberations of the UN later this year. I am anxious to complete this tour of duty for the 89th Battalion.
Does the Minister agree UNIFIL has played an integral part in the development of the Defence Forces and was one of the main attractions for people who joined the Army? There was a lull period when it was difficult to get volunteers to go out. Is the Minister, in conjunction with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, actively looking at other areas where Irish forces could serve? The rapid reaction force may not come into being until 2003 and there will be a lull during the interim period. Is the Minister concerned that the lack of prospect of involvement overseas may lead to a drain on the resources of the Defence Force?
Serving the United Nations for more than 40 years in 30 different countries – we have had a presence in south Lebanon for 23 years – has been an integral part of what Irish troops have done best and a significant part of our foreign policy. It is an important aspect in terms of the morale of the Defence Forces, training, new experiences and working with contingents from different parts of the world. Irish troops have proven to be fantastic in humanitarian tasks etc. It is unlikely that a proposition similar to south Lebanon will arise in the foreseeable future. I will be actively looking at and pursuing with the Minister for Foreign Affairs opportunities where the talents of the Defence Forces and our resources can be deployed.
