Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Mar 1995

Vol. 451 No. 4

Written Answers. - Peacekeeping Duties in Former Yugoslavia.

Mary Harney

Ceist:

18 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Defence the total number of Defences Forces personnel currently engaged in peacekeeping duties in the former Yugoslavia; their ranks; the organisations with which they are serving; his views on whether this level of commitment by Ireland is satisfactory; whether it is intended to increase this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6643/95]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Coveney)

Nineteen Irish military personnel are currently engaged on peacekeeping duties in the former Yugoslavia.

The organisations, and the numbers and ranks of the personnel serving with each are as follows:—

United Nations Protection Force in Former Yugoslavia

— 9 personnel — 1 Lieutenant Colonel, 6 Commandants and 2 Captains.

European Union Monitoring Mission

— 6 personnel — 2 Lieutenant Colonels, 3 Captains and 1 Company Sergeant.

European Union Task Force

— 2 Lieutenant Colonels.

The International Conference on Former Yugoslavia

— 2 Commandants.

Any requests for additional personnel for peacekeeping duties would be considered on their merits in the prevailing circumstances.

Ireland, however, currently has a total of 734 personnel serving in various UN peacekeeping missions. This is a substantial commitment, representing 5.7 per cent of the Permanent Defence Force. In percentage terms it is the highest contribution to UN peacekeeping made by any member state of the European Union.