asked the Minister for External Affairs if any agreement has been made under Article 43 of the Charter of the United Nations concerning the armed forces provided by Ireland in the Congo; and, if so, what are the terms of such agreement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Forces in Congo.
23.
No agreement has been made under Article 43 of the Charter of the United Nations concerning the armed forces provided by Ireland in the Congo.
I should perhaps explain that Article 43 of the Charter has not been implemented because of the failure of the Security Council to agree on its implementation. The Deputy will be aware that this part of the Charter provided for a Military Staff Committee, which, under Article 47, would "advise and assist the Security Council on all questions relating to the Security Council's military requirements for the maintenance of international peace and security, the employment and command of forces placed at its disposal, the regulation of armaments and possible disarmament." This Committee met in February, 1946, and produced a report in April, 1947, containing certain recommendations on the armed forces to be placed at the disposal of the United Nations under Chapter VII of the Charter. The report was not, however, approved by the Security Council due to a divergence of opinion among the permanent members.
The Irish contingent in the Congo has been made available to the United Nations, in conformity with our own legislation, in answer to a request addressed to the Government by the Secretary-General under the Security Council resolution of 14th July which authorised the Secretary-General "to take the necessary steps, in consultation with the Government of the Republic of the Congo, to provide the Government with such military assistance as may be necessary, until, through the efforts of the Congolese Government with the technical assistance of the United Nations, the National Security Forces may be able in the opinion of the Government to meet fully their tasks." This request and the circumstances in which it was addressed to the Government were, of course, explained in the debates which took place in Dáil Éireann on 20th July in connection with the Defence (Amendment) Bill, 1960.
Will the Taoiseach say whether the financial arrangements governing our troops in the Congo have yet been completed with the United Nations?
I do not think there is any ambiguity about the financial arrangements. They involve the recoupment by the United Nations of all expenditures undertaken by us over and above that which would be involved in the maintenance of these contingents at home.