Seanad Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Jul 1960

Vol. 52 No. 21

Defence (Amendment) Bill, 1960—Second and Subsequent Stages.

Question proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

The Taoiseach

Senators will appreciate that I made yesterday in the Dáil a carefully-worded statement in explanation of the Bill which is now before this House and that the statement I shall now make cannot be very different in substance. The purpose of the Bill is to enable the Government to comply with the request of the United Nations to contribute an Irish Battalion to the United Nations Force which is at present being constituted for service in the Congo.

The circumstances in which this request has been made to us are as follows. The Belgian Government, earlier this year, decided to grant the Congo its independence. The new Republic of the Congo became independent on 1st July of this year and immediately applied for admission to membership of the United Nations. The Security Council unanimously recommended that the Republic should be admitted to membership at the next session of the Assembly.

Almost from its inception, the new Congo state was confronted by serious internal difficulties and disorders, including local mutinies by some of its forces. There were attacks and outrages on civilians, particularly those of European origin, resulting in some cases in loss of life. In consequence of these regrettable incidents, the Belgian Government sent Belgian paratroops into the territory of the new Republic to protect the European residents from the dangers to which they were exposed.

In this situation, the Government of the Congo appealed to the Security Council of the United Nations and the Council took two decisions. In the first place, it called on the Government of Belgium to withdraw its troops from the territory of the Congo and in the second place, it authorised the Secretary General to take the necessary steps, in consultation with the Government of the Congo, to provide that Government with such military assistance as might be necessary until such time as, in the opinion of the Government of the Congo, the national security force of that country may be able to meet fully the task of preserving law and order.

Not all the members of the Council voted in favour of the Resolution but nobody voted against it. The Resolution represents therefore a positive decision of the Security Council of the United Nations. In accordance with this decision, the Secretary General has addressed his request to the Irish Government. In considering this request, the Government here had regard to the obligations which this country assumed when we became a member of the United Nations. Article 2 (v) of the Charter obliges all members to give the United Nations every assistance in any action it takes in accordance with the Charter and under Article 25 all members of the Organisation agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council. Under Article 43, all members undertake to make available to the Security Council armed forces and other facilities necessary to maintain international peace and security.

We are naturally anxious that Ireland should honour her obligations under the United Nations Charter in the spirit as well as in the letter. The Charter provisions I have quoted are obviously pertinent to the request now addressed to us by the Secretary General. No doubt, in deciding which countries to invite to contribute to the force, the Secretary General had regard to the many difficulties of the present situation. Ireland has a record in the United Nations of trying to deal with world problems and issues on their merits and to arrive at fair and impartial conclusions with regard to them.

In the light of our obligations under the Charter on the one hand, and our national traditions and outlook on the other hand, it is safe to assume that this fact was fully present in the mind of the Secretary General in deciding to make his request to the Irish Government. In the situation that exists in the Congo, of which Senators are no doubt aware from Press reports, the United Nations Force there would be unlikely to succeed in its task if the national troops, of which it is composed, did not have the confidence of the parties immediately concerned. It may fairly be assumed that this consideration was a predominant one in the choice of the countries that should be asked to participate.

Four African States have already contributed contingents, and their troops are now in the Congo. Five other States, Ireland, Sweden, Yugoslavia, Haiti and Burma have been invited to participate and Sweden has already agreed. At least 20 other countries are contributing auxiliary services, transport and supplies. We hope that this great co-operative effort on the part of the world community will prove a valuable precedent for the future.

I think I should make it clear that during its service in the Congo, the Irish contingent will be under the orders of the Supreme Commander, General von Horn, who has been selected by the Secretary General under the authority given him by the Security Council. It will be acting on behalf of the United Nations, subject to the orders of the Supreme Commander and not to the orders of the Irish Government. It will be for the Supreme Commander and not for the Irish Government to determine the day to day measures and dispositions necessary to achieve the purposes of the Force.

The present situation in the Congo is, as Senators, no doubt, appreciate, extremely complex and its future development is unpredictable. Apart from the breakdown of the national security forces in that country and the consequent lack of protection for lives and property, internal political dissensions have developed between the different parts of the Congo which threaten the territorial integrity of the country.

The question naturally arises of the role, if any, the United Nations Force is intended to play in its political difficulties. The answer to that question was made public on Tuesday in an interim report made by the Secretary General to the Security Council. I quoted the relevant sections of that report to the Dáil yesterday but I think it is desirable that I should quote them again for the information of Senators.

There are three relevant passages as follows: first, "the Force introduced is to be regarded as a temporary security Force present in the Republic of the Congo with the consent of the Government"; secondly, "Although it may be considered as serving as an arm of the Government for the maintenance of order and protection of life —tasks which naturally belong to the national authorities and which will pass to such authorities as soon as, in the view of the Government, they are sufficiently firmly established—the force is necessarily under the exclusive command of the United Nations vested in the Secretary-General under the control of the Security Council". The third quotation reads: "The authority granted to the United Nations force cannot be exercised within the Congo either in competition with representatives of the host Government or in co-operation with them in any joint operation. This naturally applies a fortiori to representatives and military units of other Governments than the host Government. Thus, the United Nations operations must be separate and distinct from activities by any national authority. Likewise, it follows from the rule that the United Nations units must not become parties in internal conflicts, that they cannot be used to enforce any specific political solution of pending problems or to influence the political balance decisive to such a solution.”

In brief as these quotations make clear, the purpose of the United Nations Force in the Congo will be to act as an independent entity for the purpose of protecting lives and property wherever they are endangered in consequence of the inability of the Government of the Congo to ensure such protection from its own resources. The role of the United Nations Force will be limited to that task. It will have no role to play in any problem of a political nature in the Congo, existing or future.

The legislation now proposed for the consideration of the Seanad will be limited to a duration of six months. A permanent measure will be introduced later. Meanwhile, this Bill will authorise the sending of contingents of the permanent Defence Forces outside the State for duties of a police character in the United Nations Emergency Forces. No member of the Defence Forces will be liable unless he volunteers. Those who join the permanent Defence Force while this temporary Act is in operation will be liable to overseas service, subject to the terms of the measure as part of their conditions of service. As Senators will have seen from newspaper reports, more than the requisite number of volunteers has been forthcoming. There is no doubt that on a volunteer basis we shall be able to provide a Force which will do credit to the Army and to the country.

The Irish officers who served in the United Nations Observation Group in the Lebanon were spoken of in the highest terms in regard to the efficiency and devotion to duty they displayed. I am confident that the Irish contingent in the United Nations Force in the Congo will maintain that high standard, that they will live up to the traditions of the Irish Army and to our reputation as loyal members of the United Nations.

Mr. Barry

There is a significance and a symbolism about this development which is very heartening and encouraging from the point of view of taking an active interest in the future in world affairs. As to our particular contribution, as an ex-Army man, I must confess to feeling a considerable pride in the task that has been assigned to us and accepted by us. I think all soldiers, ex-soldiers and especially those posted to this Force will acquit themselves well.

On the broader issue, I think it is a very promising thing for the future of the world that an Irish contingent has been, as I found out, welcomed by the world. I think there is a seed of great hope for the future of the world. There is no need for me to urge upon the Government or Army Council to see that the details of this operation will reflect the confidence the Army has displayed.

Mr. McGuire

Speaking from the Front Bench, I should like to say on behalf of the Fine Gael Party that from our membership of the United Nations, we have accepted certain benefits and we feel that we must also accept our obligations. The Taoiseach put before us today a proposal which does involve us in fulfilling our obligations to the United Nations. We feel that not only should we do that but that we should be very happy to do so. Naturally, we are anxious that the greatest care should be taken as regards the scope and duration of the operation on which the Irish unit is to be engaged. I am sure that we can rely on the Taoiseach to see that will be done.

The Taoiseach assured us that the task is of a purely police nature. He also assured the other House that the Government will keep the Oireachtas informed about the march of events in connection with this operation in the Congo. We are all confident that our Army will acquit itself with great credit to Ireland. It has already done so in a small way in the Lebanon and now that it is called upon to do it in a bigger way in the Congo, we wish the unit every success and good luck in carrying out this work. This Bill authorises the sending of those forces to the Congo and it also makes provision for the men concerned —of all ranks—giving them the same cover and protection as they would have if they were serving at home. We, therefore, support the Bill.

Mr. Murphy

On behalf of the Labour Party, I should like to say that we welcome this Bill, and share in the natural pride that Ireland has been asked by the United Nations to contribute some forces towards this contingent going to the Congo. The Labour Party are sometimes critical of the expenditure involved in connection with our Army but we feel, in this connection, that the operation which is envisaged here is very worthwhile and will do a very useful job. I may say that, personally, one of the aspects of our national life in which I take some pride, as an Irishman, is the fact that every day of the year we manage to send out missionaries or teachers to underdeveloped countries. We all hope we can regard this armed force as part of that endeavour in our contribution to these underdeveloped countries.

I must confess that when I read of the decision with regard to the call of the Secretary General of the United Nations, I was a bit apprehensive about the wisdom of mixing the troops—of, in fact, sending white troops, when it seemed that with the situation in the Congo as it is, there was a natural and understandable turn against white people. However, on reconsideration, I think, in the long run, it is a better policy that the United Nations forces should be composed of men of different colours, and not confined to white people alone. I hope the people of the Congo will eventually come to appreciate that it is not just a question of black versus white, but that the nations of the world, including our own, are anxious that this new nation should be properly set up and fitted to develop and make progress.

Mr. O'Dwyer

I congratulate the Government on the arrangements they have made and on the fact that they have acceded to the request of the United Nations to send troops to the Congo. That request is evidence of the position which Ireland now enjoys amongst the nations of the world, and it recalls the ties of friendship which exist between the Congo and Ireland. Many years ago, it was an Irishman —who since gave his life for his own country—who exposed the conditions of slavery under which the people of the Congo existed and brought help to those people who are now free. Since then, our missionaries have carried the word of God throughout that vast territory, made many converts, and contributed to the future greatness of that country. It is fitting that our soldiers should now help them in their troubles.

The Taoiseach's predecessor maintained that we should support the League of Nations in its decision to defend Abyssinia against invasion. The invasion of that country was one of the factors which led to the Second World War. With regard to the Congo and for world stability, we must realise the great role of the United Nations in world affairs.

Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha

Maraon leis na Seanadóirí eile agus pobal na tíre i gcoitinne, tá áthas ormsa go bhfuilimid le cabhrú leis na Naisiúin Aontaithe agus go bhfuilimid ag comhlíonadh ár ndualgas.

Is dóigh liom gur caoi é seo nach bhfuaramar a leithéid le fada chun a chur in iúl go bhfuilimid ann, gur daoine sinne go bhfuil cuspóir agus gléas agus daingeanna Rialtais againn, agus go bhfuil creideamh againn san Arm atáimid tar éis a bhunú.

Tá áthas ormsa, maraon leis na daoine eile a labhair, go bhfuil sé ar ár gcumas saighdiuirí a chur that sáile i bhfad ó bhaile chun síocháin agus socrú a chur i bhfeidhm in áit nach bhfuil na daoine féin ann in ann sin a dhéanamh.

Is dóigh liom gur ceart an iarracht seo a dhéanamh ach tá beagán imní orm. Táimid le fórsa a chur chun tír choigríche, tír nach bhfuil cosúil ar a lán dóigh le nár dtír féin i ngnásanna agus rudaí eile, ach is iad na cúrsaí sláinte is mó atá im aigne. Tá galair i gceist freisin agus is é sin an chéad rud ba chóir a chur i gceart maidir leis na saighdiúirí atáimid a chur amach, agus ba chóir go mbeadh córas leighis, córas cosanta sláinte, córas i dtaobh gach ní a bhaineann le sláinte, le fáil againn ar son ár saighdiúirí.

Sé an dara rud atá i gceist agam ná go bhfuil ceangail beagán níos mó againn leis an tír sin nó b'fhéidir tíortha eile atá ag cur fórsaí chuici, agus is cheart dúinn sin a chur in iúl do na daoine ann, agus a rá nach bhfuil ar intinn againn ach socrú agus síocháin a bhaint amach ann. Má dhéantar sin, is dócha go mbeidh fáilte ar leith acu roimh na saighdiúirí ó Éirinn atá ag dul le cabhrú leo.

Sin iad an dá phointe atá agam— sláinte na bhfear agus fáilte na tíre sin rompu. Is dóigh liom gurb iad sin an dá chúrsa atá in aigne an chuid is mó againn, agus, le cúnamh Dé, beidh na fir in ann meas ar Éirinn agus meas ar Arm na hÉireann a bhaint amach.

Mr. O'Grady

I shall not delay the House, but I feel this occasion should not be allowed to pass without expressing our appreciation of the very great compliment that has been paid to the Irish people, and the Irish Army, and of the fact that our Irish representatives abroad have created such a favourable impression among the councils of the nations and the leaders of the world that a relatively small power like our little nation should be invited to take such a prominent part in the maintenance of peace in the troubled conditions which obtain in the Congo at the present time. It is an extraordinary tribute and one that the Irish people appreciate very much.

I am sure that every man and officer in the contingent going to the Congo will fully appreciate that they are the standard bearers of Ireland in the eyes of the world, and that each man will be jealous of the part which he will play in maintaining the very high standard which our nation has gained in the councils of the world. I have no doubt that they will do that. They are carrying a great responsibility on their shoulders. Senator O'Dwyer referred to them in the character of missionaries and I think it is a fairly good description because, in their own way, they will be looked to by Irish people at home and abroad to see they maintain the very high standard of honour which Ireland enjoys amongst the councils of the nations at present.

Mr. Cole

The House must realise that this is a far more important mission than the Force sent to the Lebanon and I, too, am particularly proud that this nation, amongst other small nations, has been chosen for what, to my mind, is a very important work and which, if successful, could be an example and a forerunner of great things amongst the nations of the world. I am sure that the members of this Force will realise that not alone is the honour of their own country at stake but—shall I say—the very existence of the United Nations. What they are working for, to a certain extent, is in the balance in a situation like this where soldiers of small nations are going forth to assist one very young nation.

There is one question I should like to raise and it is: have the Government considered the possibility of sending an official, perhaps at something less than ambassadorial level, to the Congo? Such a diplomatic mission would not alone be of great assistance to our Government but possibly would be of great assistance to the Government of the Congo. Has there been any official recommendation to that effect, and would it not be a very good thing to do, particularly when our troops are there?

Mr. P. Crowley

As a representative of the trade unions, I wish to be associated with the welcome that has been given to this measure by several speakers this morning. It is hardly necessary to say that Irishmen in all parts of the world got a thrill of pride in receiving the news that our country had been asked to contribute to this peace force, as I should like to call it. Indeed, I think the Government deserve to be complimented on their spontaneous reaction to the request of the United Nations, and I think they can be assured they have interpreted very accurately the firm desire and earnest hope of every Irish man and woman to preserve the peace of the world.

I do not think we ought to underestimate the responsibility placed on the members of this Force. This morning's news bulletins on the situation in the Congo convey, at least to my very ill-informed mind, that a situation exists there that is not only explosive, but could, without the utmost tact and diplomacy, in fact be disastrous for the entire world. In that respect we must all take legitimate pride in the fact that we are looked upon by the nations of the world as being capable of contributing to the maintenance of peace and order in that situation, and I wish to compliment the Government on the spontaneity with which they responded to the request of the United Nations.

Mr. J.L. O'Sullivan

I rise to support this Bill. As one who has had the honour and privilege to serve in the Irish Army, I know that this unit going abroad will live up to the high reputation the Army has achieved by reason of other units which were sent abroad, our Army Jumping Team and other Army personnel who have travelled the world. These men will be, so to speak, our ambassadors at large, and I am sure every one in the country will follow their activities with interest and take pride in their achievements. Let us hope that this effort of the United Nations will solve the serious difficulties facing the new nation of the Congo.

Mr. Ryan

I am very glad this country was asked to send a contingent to the Congo, and I am particularly glad that the Government accepted that invitation so quickly and so wholeheartedly. This invitation must, in the first place, be regarded as a tribute to our Defence Forces. It is quite clear that if the United Nations authorities had not been impressed by the efficiency and integrity of the contingent which we sent to the Lebanon, this invitation would not have been sent to us. It is also a tribute to the country and can be regarded as a mark of the respect in which it is now held in the United Nations.

We are one of the few countries in Europe entirely untainted by colonialism, and one of the few countries which, apart from not being a colonial power, are completely uncommitted to any colonial powers. I think the credit for the fact that we have reached that position of respect in the United Nations must go very largely to the policy of the Government in recent years and, in particular, to the very good work of the Minister for External Affairs.

Mr. Burke

I wish to subscribe to the expressions of appreciation from all sides of the House of the Government's action in respect of this mission which the Army has been called upon to undertake, not alone on behalf of this country but on behalf of common humanity. If a success can be made of this mission, it may contribute very much to the return of international goodwill so that the United Nations may reach some maturity to act as a mediator between the great Powers of today. At the present time there seems to be no force coming into the world that can act as a mediator between them, and I think that is a responsibility which the various nations co-operating in bringing peace to the Congo may be called upon to shoulder at a later stage. If they can help towards achieving goodwill among the nations, I believe we may be starting an epoch-making era of our history.

I should like to join with Senator Cole in asking that perhaps we might send diplomatic representatives as well. In the world of today, it is in the realms of thought and goodwill that we may be able to achieve something. The Government might consider sending somebody like a chargé d'affaires to the Congo. Naturally we are all proud of the part our Army played and of the way they acquitted themselves in the Lebanon. We all feel that we shall be proud of them in the Congo also and that they will acquit themselves there in such a way that they will not alone honour Ireland but will honour our common Christianity and humanity as well.

The Taoiseach

I should like to express appreciation of the remarks of all the Senators who spoke. Indeed the approval and support of the Government's decision which have been forthcoming from every political Party in the State are very welcome. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing thanks to the Leaders of all Parties and groups for co-operating with the Government in securing the rapid enactment of this enabling measure.

I share the hopes which have been expressed here that the people of the Congo will soon emerge from their present difficulties and be able to start in on the tremendous tasks that face them in the building up of their country as a prosperous and stable member of the community of nations, and so permit of the early withdrawal from their territory of this United Nations Force.

With regard to the matter of diplomatic representation in the Congo, either in its permanent aspect or in relation to this present period, all I can say is that, as yet, no decision has been made. The Minister for Defence is available to the Seanad to explain, if necessary, during the Committee Stage of the Bill details of the measure and, in so far as they are appropriate, the arrangements he is making for the dispatch of the Force.

Question put and agreed to.

Agreed to take remaining Stages today.

Bill put through Committee, reported without amendment, received for final consideration and passed.