Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004
54 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Defence the role being played by Irish troops serving with KFOR; when the current mandate expires and if it is intended to renew it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13391/04]
View answerKFOR was established on 10 June 1999, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244, for an initial period of 12 months, to continue thereafter unless the UN Security Council decides otherwise. Ireland has participated in the KFOR since August 1999. The mission is authorised under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and was approved by Dáil Éireann on 1 July 1999, following a Government decision of 29 June 1999. Since then, the Government has reviewed and approved, on an annual basis, continued participation by the Defence Forces in KFOR. On 27 May 2003, the Government approved continued participation by a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force in KFOR for a further period of 12 months beyond June 2003.
It had been anticipated that a reorganisation and scaling-down of KFOR would take place this year. This had partly commenced when civil disturbances broke out in March in Kosovo. The scaling-down has now been deferred on foot of those events. The withdrawal of the Irish contingent was planned as part of this reduction in KFOR presence and was to have been completed by October 2004. However, having regard to the fragility of the peace in Kosovo, and subject to ongoing assessments of the situation on the ground, Ireland will continue to maintain an appropriate presence in KFOR in 2004. In the near future, I intend to bring proposals to Government with regard to the continued participation by the Defence Forces in KFOR beyond June 2004.
The Irish contingent currently comprises an infantry group of some 203 personnel together with a number of personnel in staff posts at various headquarters. The infantry group was first deployed last September. Previously, a transport group had been deployed with KFOR since August 1999. Three Defence Forces personnel are also serving with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, UNMIK.
The role of KFOR is to support the maintenance of civil law and order within Kosovo to develop a climate of safety and security, which will enable the transfer of increased responsibility to the civil authorities.
The Irish infantry group operates as part of a multinational grouping, within the Finnish battalion. It comprises a Mowag APC mounted company together with support and logistic elements. The main tasks of the Irish infantry group include the following: provision of general security to all ethnic groups, institutions and cultural sites; provision of support to UNMIK police and other agencies with security tasks; identification of and reporting on extremist groups and activities; vehicle and foot patrols; and vehicle checkpoints and operation of observation posts.
In referring to the major outbreak of violence in Kosovo in March, I take this opportunity to again commend the bravery and professionalism shown by the 27th Infantry Company Group of the Defence Forces who were in Kosovo at the time of the recent disturbances.
