Ireland participates in a range of peace support missions. Participation in such missions is subject to authorisation by the United Nations, Government decision and approval of Dáil Éireann, in accordance with the statutory provisions laid down in the Defence Acts.
In authorising a mission, the UN can decide either to establish a UN force for the purposes of enforcing the provisions of a Security Council resolution or to authorise a regional organisation or a framework nation to establish such a force for this purpose. So, for example, in the case of Liberia, the UN has authorised the establishment of a UN Force, whereas in the case of the mission in Kosovo, the force, which is authorised by the UN, is led by NATO.
Where the mission is operating under the traditional UN "blue beret" arrangements, contributing countries are entitled to some reimbursement of costs in respect of personnel and equipment. Where the force is operating under regional arrangements, such as the EU or NATO, each participant carries its own costs and shares the common operating costs.
The main difference in costs which arises in relation to a non-UN led force is the absence of reimbursement. This will vary depending on the mission. In the case of the mission in Liberia the total estimated additional cost arising from participation is €12.1 million per annum of which €10.8 million per annum will be reimbursed by the UN. In the case of Operation Artemis, the EU led mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ireland's contribution to the common costs amounted to some €60,000.
No formal report has been completed into the difference between the two types of operations in terms of costs. Missions are considered on a case-by-case basis and cost is but one of a number of considerations which informs the decision to participate in a mission. In considering participation, the Government takes into account Ireland's strategic interests, the nature of the mission and the risks involved, the mission's mandate and its potential to ensure peace and security, foreign policy considerations and the mission costs.