Billy Timmins
Ceist:68 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the composition and tasks of the standing interdepartmental committee on peacekeeping; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13309/99]
Written Answers. - Peacekeeping Operations.
The Standing Interdepartmental Committee on Peacekeeping was established by the Government to further increase the effectiveness and coherence of policy in the area of peacekeeping. The committee is composed of representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Defence and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and from the Defence Forces and the Garda Síochána. Its task is to consider policy issues relating to Irish involvement in peacekeeping operations. The committee, which is chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs, met for the first time in late 1997. It meets whenever necessary, but at least twice annually.
The committee offers a useful forum for the exchange of views on policy issues including possible options and priorities in our future approach to peacekeeping. There is already extensive day-to-day co-operation between the Government Departments represented on the committee regarding ongoing peacekeeping matters, particularly regarding practical arrangements for Irish participation in UN peacekeeping given our representation in a wide variety of UN missions. The committee offers the opportunity for a broader consideration of the issues.