Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.
Joe Sherlock
Question:
15
Mr. Sherlock
asked the
Minister for Defence
if he has satisfied himself that the Irish contingent with the UN mission to Liberia has been properly equipped to defend themselves in conflict situations; the equipment, in particular, which is available to protect them against rocket propelled grenades that are widely held by armed groups in that country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29436/03]
Paul Nicholas Gogarty
Question:
34
Mr. Gogarty
asked the
Minister for Defence
the progress on deployment of Irish troops to Liberia; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29501/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 15 and 34 together.
I have already dealt comprehensively with the question of the deployment of an Irish contingent of the Permanent Defence Force to the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL, in my reply to Priority Questions.
As the House will be aware, on 24 September 2003 the Government authorised, subject to Dáil approval, the dispatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL. The necessary enabling resolution was passed by Dáil Éireann on 12 November, 2003.
The Irish contingent, being deployed for service with UNMIL comprises a motorised infantry battalion, of some 430 personnel. A small number of additional personnel have been deployed at force headquarters and as military observers. At the request of the UN, a contingent of the Army Ranger Wing, amounting to some 40 personnel, has been deployed for a three month period.
The main Irish contingent will operate as the force commander's rapid reaction reserve. The role of the Irish personnel will be the provision of an immediate response capability, deployable in sufficient strength and with the required level of force to provide a swift and decisive military reaction to any crisis situation. In the initial stages, the Irish battalion will act in a pathfinding role for the UN brigades deploying beyond Monrovia.
Deployment to UNMIL will be completed by mid-December 2003. Initial deployment will be for one year, with a possible extension thereafter, subject to renewal of the UN mandate and a satisfactory review of the mission. In the case of UNMIL, my intention is that Defence Forces involvement will not exceed two to three years in duration. Elections, which are due in 2005, under the comprehensive peace agreement, should be completed at that stage.
A detailed reconnaissance and threat assessment has been undertaken in the mission area by a Defence Forces team. The military authorities have reported that Liberia is a potentially dangerous theatre of operations. Due to the threat, force protection is a primary concern for the Defence Forces. However, this threat should decline as the UN peacekeeping troops are deployed beyond Monrovia in the next phase of deployment.
The safety and health of Irish personnel serving overseas is always of paramount concern to me. While no absolute guarantees can be given with regard to the safety of troops serving in missions it is my policy and practice to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately trained and equipped to carry out their mission.
In relation to the equipment being provided, a wide range of equipment and force protection assets are being deployed with the contingent. This equipment is of the highest quality. Indeed, the Mowag APCs were deployed with the Defence Forces when they served in UNMEE, where they performed very effectively. The Irish contingent in UNMIL will be equipped with 22 new MOWAG Pirahna 111 armoured personnel carriers. In addition, each soldier is equipped with personal body armour of the highest quality. While no armoured vehicle in the world can offer 100% protection from anti-armour attack, the Pirahna 111 APC, with its high hardness steel plate armour, mobility and firepower represents the highest level of protection deemed appropriate by the military authorities for this particular theatre of operations.
I am advised by the military authorities that the rocket propelled grenade used by armed groups in Liberia is not a new threat to the Defence Forces and has been present in Lebanon, Somalia, Bosnia and Kosovo, to name but a few. The threat posed by rocket propelled grenades been analysed and continually reviewed by the military authorities. Likewise, pre-deployment training is provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force and is updated in the light of increased threat.
Within the context of protection, deterrence is seen as a critical factor. In this regard, the Irish contingent will also be equipped with six armoured reconnaissance vehicles, each of which carries a 20 mm cannon or a 90 mm gun. Due to the equipment modernisation programmes that have taken place in the Defence Forces over the past few years, UNMIL will be the best equipped battalion ever to serve overseas.
Question No. 16 answered with Question No. 9.
