Billy Timmins
Ceist:113 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the terms of agreement that he signed at UN Headquarters, New York, during his recent visit. [20535/98]
Written Answers. - UN Agreement.
On 15 October 1998, during the course of my visit to the United Nations Headquarters in New York, I signed, on behalf of the Government, a Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the United Nations in regard to the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements System, UNSAS. The UNSAS has the aim of improving the response times within which troops can be deployed in peacekeeping operations to trouble spots around the world.
The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to identify the resources which Ireland has indicated it will provide to the United Nations for use in peacekeeping operations under specified conditions. Ireland has agreed to contribute troops up to a maximum of 850 personnel. Participation can be fulfilled by the redesignation to UNSAS of personnel currently serving with the UN. There would be no obligation to participate in any particular mission and, as at present, Dáil approval would be required for the dispatch of a contingent of more than 12 personnel to a specific operation.