Vol. 502 No. 6
45 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Irish troops will be deployed in Kosovo in view of the fact that NATO has defined its mission to avert a humanitarian crisis and this definition complies with the Petersburg tasks as defined in the Amsterdam Treaty which comes into effect in May 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8919/99]
Ireland is not involved with the current NATO actions in Kosovo. These actions are being undertaken by NATO, not the European Union. The actions are in no way based on the EU's Amsterdam Treaty. We have received no request for the deployment of Irish troops in Kosovo.
Decisions in relation to participation by the Defence Forces in overseas missions are taken by the Government and Dáil Éireann, as appropriate, in accordance with Defence Force legislation and taking account of certain established criteria.
