Michael Joe Cosgrave
Ceist:82 Mr. Cosgrave asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, he has made in establishing an emergency team to respond to specific requests from the UN. [9273/99]
Written Answers. - UN Requests.
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:141 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, he has made in establishing an emergency team to respond to specific requests from the UN. [9333/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 82 and 141 together.
There is currently a total of 748 military personnel serving overseas of which 711 are serving with UN missions. Late last year I agreed to the secondment of 27 personnel to the Agency for Personal Service Overseas, APSO, to assist in the relief effort in Honduras following the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch. They are currently working in the area.
The position in relation to requests for personnel for overseas missions is that any such requests are considered on the merits in the prevailing circumstances within the context of the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements System (UNSAS). This system is intended to enhance the United Nations capacity for rapid response to emergency situations. It has been decided that the Defence Forces will participate in this system. Such participation does not entail the commitment of additional personnel for UN service over and above a figure of 850 military personnel. There is, however, no obligation to participate in any particular mission and Dáil approval would be required for the dispatch of a contingent to a specific operation. Our decision to participate in UNSAS is a tangible expression of Ireland's continuing commitment to involvement in peacekeeping operations. Such peacekeeping operations invariably facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid in the troubled areas.
With regard to the general question of emergency response to UN requests, there is at present an initiative sponsored by Denmark known as SHIRBRIG. This envisages the establishment of a high readiness multi-national brigade, composed of contributions to the UNSAS with the aim of deploying troops at short notice to troubled spots around the world. Ireland has been keeping a watching brief on this initiative. The question of participation by Ireland in SHIRBRIG will be considered in the light of the legal and practical implications which the concept would raise for Ireland.