Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 3

Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.

Austin Deasy

Question:

66 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if a request has been received from the United Nations for Ireland to contribute military personnel to a peace-keeping force in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4794/02]

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

83 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if, in regard to his comments after reviewing troops at McKee Barracks on 4 January 2002, he will outline the plans for the participation of Irish troops in a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan; the discussions he has had with the United Nations regarding this proposal; if he has satisfied himself that an appropriate UN mandate is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4672/02]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 83 together.

The question of Defence Forces participation in overseas missions is kept under regular review.

Requests from the UN for Irish participation in new missions are considered on a case by case basis within the context of the United Nations Stand-by Arrangement System, UNSAS. As I have indicated to the House previously, in October 1998 Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations in relation to UNSAS. Ireland has committed up to 850 military personnel for UN service at any one time under this system. There would be no obligation, however, to participate in any particular mission and Dáil approval would be required for the despatch 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.

There exists a standing interdepartmental committee on peacekeeping, under the chairmanship of the Department of Foreign Affairs, whose function,inter alia, is 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.

On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under chapter VII of the UN Charter authorising the deployment of an international security assistance force, ISAF, in Afghanistan for six months to assist in the maintenance of security in Kabul and the surrounding areas, so that the Afghan Interim Authority and the personnel of the United Nations can operate in a secure environment. Acting under chapter VII of the UN charter means that the ISAF, whose lead nation is the United Kingdom, is authorised to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate.

Discussions at the UN Security Council continue to focus on Afghanistan, in particular on the issue of security and the possible extension of ISAF outside Kabul. On 6 February 2002, a full day of meetings on Afghanistan took place, including briefings by both the Secretary General and Special Representative, Ambassador Brahimi. It is not possible at this stage to say exactly how the UN's role in Afghanistan will develop. The question of the possible deployment of Defence Forces personnel to a UN peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan does not arise at this stage.

There has been no significant EU discussion of participation in the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF. It is understood that all other EU member states intend to contribute to the mission.

Should Ireland decide to participate in ISAF, Government and Dáil approval would be required and full account would be taken of the security situation in the area, the mandate of the mission and further factors such as the equipment and skills necessary for the mission.

Question No. 67 answered with Question No. 51.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

68 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that all appropriate logistical support is in place in respect of members of the Defence Forces serving in Eritrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4656/02]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

On 31 July 2000, the United Nations Security Council, under Resolution 1312, established the United Nations mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea, UNMEE, consisting of up to 100 military observers and the necessary civilian support staff in anticipation of a peacekeeping operation subject to future authorisation. Under Resolution 1320 of 15 September 2000, the Security Council authorised the deployment within UNMEE of up to 4,200 troops until 15 March 2001. On the latter date, the Security Council, by its Resolution 1344, extended UNMEE's mandate at the previously authorised levels of troops and military observers until 15 September 2001. Resolution 1369 of 14 September 2001 extended the mandate for a further six months until 15 March 2002.

On 15 June 2001, in the context of the withdrawal of the Irish contingent from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, the UN formally invited Ireland to contribute a guard and administration company to serve with UNMEE at the Force Headquarters in Asmara, Eritrea, with effect from 11 December 2001, for a minimum period of 12 months.

On 18 July 2001, the Government authorised, subject to the approval of the Dáil, the despatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service with UNMEE for a period of one year from December 2001. On 26 October 2001, Dáil Éireann approved the despatch of the contingent comprising 209 Defence Forces personnel. An advance party was deployed to the mission area on 26 November 2001. The main body of the contingent deployed on 5 December 2001. The contingent became operational on 11 December 2001.

In response to separate requests from the UN, 12 members of the Defence Forces were deployed to the mission to take up staff appointments in UNMEE Force HQ in Asmara, Eritrea.

The role of the Irish contingent, which is based in Asmara, Eritrea, comprises the following: provision of signals technical support to UNMEE HQ; provision of perimeter defence and internal security for UNMEE HQ; provision of security for convoys and escort of key personnel-VIPs; provision of transport services for headquarters staff; provision of tactical mobile command post; manning of military staff message centre; provision of military police for the Irish component, and liaison with force military police unit; and provision of military staff and general administrative support to UNMEE.

Prior to the deployment of Irish personnel with UNMEE, detailed planning was conducted by the military authorities on all aspects of logistical support for troops serving with UNMEE. The following areas received priority: personal equipment and protection – this included the deployment of Mowag APCs for force protection; communications – this included the installation of a VSAT system and the most economic means for troops to contact home at short notice – call card system for $3 a soldier has 30 minutes call time to Ireland; catering and accommodation facilities – these are modern and comfortable in UNMEE; detailed medical briefing of troops prior to deployment was undertaken; and each member of the UNMEE contingent was issued with a welfare pack prior to deployment on matters relating to post, travel home and within the mission area, etc.

I am advised by the military authorities that Defence Forces headquarters is in daily contact with the mission to assess all aspects of logistical support. On a monthly basis the unit submits to Defence Forces headquarters logistical requirements as determined on the ground which receive immediate attention. The logistical support to Irish personnel serving with UNMEE is founded on the experiences gained by the Defence Forces in Lebanon and the importance attached by my Department to supporting troops overseas. I am satisfied that all appropriate logistical support is available to all members of the Defence Forces serving with UNMEE.

Question No. 69 answered with Question No. 50.

Question No. 70 answered with Question No. 38.

Question No. 71 answered with Question No. 36.