Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 2003

Vol. 573 No. 3

Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

280 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration has been or is being given to the deployment of Irish troops either through the auspices of the EU or the UN at new overseas locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25626/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The Deputy will be aware that the Permanent Defence Force has participated continuously in UN peacekeeping operations since 1958 and is currently providing personnel for UN peacekeeping operations in Côte d'Ivoire, Western Sahara, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon, Kosovo, Timor Leste and the Middle East. Ireland provides military personnel to multinational operations authorised by the United Nations Security Council in Kosovo, KFOR, Bosnia-Herzegovina, SFOR, and Afghanistan, ISAF. A number of Permanent Defence Force personnel participated this year in EU Operation Artemis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which was mounted at the request of the United Nations Secretary General and on foot of UN Security Council Resolution 1484.

In respect of new overseas locations, the Minister for Defence will shortly seek the approval of the Dáil for the deployment of 430 members of the Permanent Defence Force to serve in the recently established UN Mission in Liberia in response to a request from the Secretary General. Deployment of members of the Permanent Defence Force in additional overseas locations is not under active consideration. Possible further deployments will be considered by the Government as they arise on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the terms of relevant national legislation.