Vol. 428 No. 5
49 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of the Garda Síochána who are on UN duty throughout the world; the way in which the vacancies were filled; whether it is proposed to continue meeting UN requests for garda personnel to serve overseas; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
The Garda authorities inform me that since the Garda Síochána first participated in UN overseas missions in 1989, a total of 101 members of the Garda Síochána have taken part in various missions. In addition, there are 60 members currently serving abroad on United Nations missions in Cambodia and the former Yugoslavia; together with two members with the European Community Observer Mission in South Africa.
Overall Garda manpower was maintained over this period by on-going Garda recruitment. The vacancies in the senior ranks of Superintendent and Chief Superintendent were filled on a supernumerary basis.
As a member of the United Nations it is our duty to respond positively in support of that organisation's multi-national missions. The temporary loss of manpower in the Garda Síochána in providing contingents for such missions is far outweighed by the long term benefits which accrue to the Force through the experience gained by the members who serve on them. Future requests for participation by the Garda Síochána in UN missions will be considered by the Government in the normal way following consultations with the Garda authorities.
