John Gormley
Ceist:42 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he has any plans to amend the law to allow Irish soldiers serve overseas without a UN mandate. [28714/00]
Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.
As I have indicated in reply to earlier questions, participation by Ireland in any EU Petersberg mission remains a sovereign decision to be taken by the Government. The Government will decide on a case by case basis whether, when and how to commit either troops or other resources. In our interventions at the capabilities commitment conference, Ireland reiterated these points and specified that in our case, in compliance with the terms of the relevant Irish legislation, we will partici pate only in missions authorised by the United Nations. I have no plans to change this legislation.
Question No. 43 taken with Question No. 35.