Phil Hogan
Question:11 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish troops deployed in Liberia; and if he will make a statement on the current political situation there. [30428/03]
Other Questions. - Overseas Missions.
Before addressing this question, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family of the late Sergeant Derek Mooney who died tragically on 27 November while serving the cause of peace in Liberia through his service with UNMIL. I would also like to convey my sympathy and best wishes to the members of the Irish contingent who were injured on 27 November.
The House will be aware that 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. The Dáil gave its approval on 12 November to the deployment when my colleague, the Minister for Defence, moved the necessary enabling resolution in the House. I refer the House to the Minister's comprehensive statement on 12 November.
The Irish contingent comprises a motorised infantry battalion of some 430 personnel, along with a small number of additional personnel 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. Its role 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. In the initial stages, the Irish battalion will act in a path-finding role for UN brigades deploying beyond Monrovia. Deployment to UNMIL will be completed this month. 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, it is not envisaged that Defence Forces involvement will exceed two to three years in duration.
Deputies will be aware that the national transitional Government of Liberia was inaugurated in Monrovia on 14 October 2003. Mr. Gyude Bryant succeeded interim president Moses Blah on that date and the former will serve as chairman of the transitional Government until parliamentary and presidential elections are held before the end of 2005. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, represented the Government at the inauguration. On taking office, Mr. Bryant pledged to introduce transparency in government and respect for human rights. The process of selecting members of the transitional government and legislative assembly is ongoing. The disarmament campaign was formally launched on 1 December.
Despite recent improvements in security in UN-controlled areas and progress in the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement, signed by the parties in Accra on 18 August, the peace process remains fragile. The Government believes the deployment of UNMIL is critically important in supporting the implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement and for the political and economic recovery of Liberia. The Government will lend active support to the work of the United Nations special representative in Liberia, Jacques Klein, and to the EU special representative for the region, Hans Dahlgren, in his efforts to co-ordinate EU support for peace and reconstruction in this part of Africa. This will be a priority for the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the European Union. Through our Presidency, we will also continue to encourage all parties to the comprehensive peace agreement to carry out their commitments and obligations.
I join with the Minister in expressing sympathy on the death of Sergeant Derek Mooney and express my condolences to his family.
In the assessment given to the House by the Minister for Defence before Irish troops were deployed, medical and health threat was assessed as high. The assessment also termed the security threat as medium. Given the presence of UNMIL and the medical arrangements that have been made, does the Minister envisage that the risk assessment will soon be adjusted downwards?
I am not aware that the assessment will be adjusted downwards. This is a difficult mission. I know some of the soldiers involved in it and they are happy with how well equipped they are and, being professional soldiers, are looking forward to the challenge presented by the mission. The Minister for Defence is dealing with this matter and the Deputy will be aware that a detailed reconnaissance and threat assessment was undertaken prior to deployment in the mission area by a Defence Forces team.
I am aware that every reasonable step has been taken to ensure the good health of our personnel on this mission. The battalion will be equipped with a state-of-the-art medical facility and will bring its own water purification plant. The availability of back-up medical arrangements has also been ensured. A full surgical medical facility has been provided to the mission, initially by the Netherlands, which has dispatched a fully equipped naval hospital ship to Liberia to provide medical assistance facilities to the mission, and thereafter by Jordan. There is also a Red Cross medical facility in Monrovia and a full surgical medical facility in Freetown.
The reports of fighting yesterday are of grave concern. It appears the fighting involved former government militia men protesting about the size of the initial payment they will receive as part of the programme of progressive disarmament. The actions of the fighters involved were met with a swift response by UNMIL forces while the chairman of Liberia's transitional Government and the UN's special representative in Liberia has roundly condemned their actions.
Irish personnel were not involved in the incidents in question. I assure the Deputy that in addition to the intensive preliminary assessment work carried out ahead of the mission, Ireland keeps in close contact with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations on all aspects of the mission. When the first commander of UNMIL was in New York for a brief period earlier this week, he made sure to meet Ireland's permanent representative to give him a full briefing of events on the ground.
I, too, sympathise with the family of Sergeant Derek Mooney, particularly his young immediate family. The reconnaissance referred to in the Minister of Defence's statement to the House operates on two levels, that of the United Nations and that of the Irish Government. Does the Minister believe the reconnaissance of Liberian infrastructure, in terms of roads, security, etc., was adequate?
My second question, which pertains to the adequacy of the medical preparations, has been asked already. I raised with the Minister for Defence the adequacy of the preventative measures against water-borne illnesses. I will be happy if the Minister for Foreign Affairs assures us in this regard. Will any Minister be visiting the Irish troops in Liberia between now and the beginning of the next Dáil session?
I am not aware of any impending ministerial visit to Liberia. The troops have just arrived, as the Deputy knows, and are settling in. Obviously, we see from certain incidents that their mission is very difficult and we must continue to hope and pray that they will all return home safely.
On the reconnaissance of the infrastructure in Liberia, everyone would have been aware of the poor transport infrastructure because of the wars and conflicts in the country, which have been ongoing for many years. The accident that led to the death of Sergeant Mooney was, unfortunately, one for which nobody could have legislated. It was just an unfortunate road accident.
Is the European Union supporting efforts to bring the former President of Liberia to account at an international court? Does the role of Irish Army rangers in Liberia extend to protecting troops from other nations? If so, will the Minister indicate the nations to which the Irish troops are acting as guards?
I will obtain details of the second part of the Deputy's question. From speaking to UN personnel, I know how highly regarded Irish Army rangers are. They were particularly highly regarded during their mission in East Timor. They have dealt with very difficult circumstances most professionally. That the UN sought an additional 30 members of the Irish Army ranger wing confirms how highly they are esteemed.
On 14 November, Interpol issued an arrest warrant for Charles Taylor citing his indictment for war crimes in Sierra Leone. The warrant was issued in response to his indictment earlier this year by the special court for Sierra Leone for crimes against humanity and serious violations of international and humanitarian law. These charges related to his sponsorship of the Revolutionary United Front during the civil war in Sierra Leone.
Ireland appreciates Nigeria's role in facilitating the departure of Charles Taylor from Liberia. However, Ireland believes strongly that those guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity should be made accountable. Ireland is a strong supporter of the special court for Sierra Leone and has been one of its most generous donors, providing $500,000 dollars for the first three years of its operation and a further $250,000 in recent weeks.