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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 18 Jun 1998

Vol. 492 No. 6

UN Authorised Stabilisation Force: Motion.

Seamus Brennan

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach (Mr. S. Brennan)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann, pursuant to section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1960, as applied by the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1993, approves the dispatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for continued service with the multinational Stabilisation Force (SFOR) established in accordance with the UN Security Council authorisation, and that it further approves the terms of the exchange of letters on Ireland's financial responsibilities arising from Ireland's continued participation in SFOR, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 16 June, 1998.

I ask that the motion and related matters be debated as soon as possible by the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.

Séamus Pattison

An Ceann Comhairle

Is the motion agreed?

John Bruton

Mr. J. Bruton

May I ask a question?

Séamus Pattison

An Ceann Comhairle

The Order of the House is that we should take this question without debate.

John Bruton

Mr. J. Bruton

I will abide by the ruling of the Chair but I would like to ask one question.

Séamus Pattison

An Ceann Comhairle

The Deputy can ask a brief question if the Minister of State has no objection.

John Bruton

Mr. J. Bruton

Does the Minister of State have any idea about the duration of this force given that civil order has not been properly restored in Bosnia and there are a number of places where the rule of law does not apply? Doubts remain about the American commitment to continued support for troops on the ground in Bosnia. What is the Minister of State's current anticipation of the likely duration of this commitment?

Seamus Brennan

Mr. S. Brennan

I do not know. The motion is before the House this morning because last week the UN suggested that members contributing to the force should renew their mandate, if they intended to do so, by 15 June. I will get the information the Deputy requires. I do not know the length of time involved. It may be six months but I will have to check that for the Deputy.

Question put and agreed to.
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