Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004
5 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence the role being played by Irish troops serving with KFOR; the information available regarding the recent incident in which a number of Irish troops are reported to have been injured; if he has satisfied himself that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of the troops; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9398/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra57 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if further Irish troops are likely to be deployed to the Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9503/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 57 together.
Ireland has participated in the international security presence in Kosovo, KFOR, since August 1999. The mission is authorised under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and was approved by Dáil Éireann on 1 July 1999 following a Government decision of 29 June 1999. At present, the Irish contingent comprises an infantry group of 260 personnel together with a number of personnel in staff posts at various headquarters. The infantry group deployed last September replaced a transport group which had been deployed with KFOR since August 1999. Three members of Defence Forces personnel are also serving with the United Nations interim administration mission in Kosovo, UNMIK. The Irish infantry group operates as part of a multinational grouping within the Finnish battalion. It comprises a Mowag APC mounted company together with support and logistic elements.
The role of KFOR is to support the maintenance of civil law and order within Kosovo so as to develop a climate of safety and security which will enable the transfer of increased responsibility to the civil authorities. As the House will be aware, ethnic violence erupted in Kosovo last week, setting back ethnic relations between the Albanians and Serbs in the Kosovo region. I am advised by the military authorities that the wounding of a Serb male in the mainly Kosovar-Serb village of Caglavica, followed by an incident involving a number of Kosovar-Albanian children, fuelled the interethnic conflict leading to extended civil disorder. In response to these disturbances, an Irish-Finnish platoon was deployed as part of a Swedish battalion-led company in the Caglavica-Gracinica area and took up blocking positions between Pristina and Caglavica. In attempting to prevent a crowd of approximately 3,000 Kosovar-Albanian protesters from moving from Pristina into Caglavica, there were some clashes resulting in minor injuries to a small number of soldiers and some damage to KFOR vehicles. Approximately ten Irish personnel were treated for minor cuts and bruises but did not require to be hospitalised. I would like to take this opportunity to commend the actions of the Irish troops serving in Kosovo on the professional manner in which they discharged their duties and dealt with this very tense and dangerous situation.
The current situation in the region remains tense as a result of these incidents. The Irish C company of the Finnish-Irish battle group continues to provide elements of the operational company deployed to the Swedish battalion area of operations. The safety of Irish personnel serving overseas is always of paramount concern to me. Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions are equipped with the most modern and effective equipment available. This equipment enables troops to carry out the mission assigned, as well as providing the required protection specific to the mission. I am satisfied that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all Defence Forces personnel serving with KFOR.
On the question of deploying further Irish troops to the Balkans, Ireland has not been requested to date to deploy further personnel to the region. Requests for Defence Forces personnel to serve on overseas missions are considered on a case-by-case basis in the prevailing circumstances.
I am sure the Minister will agree the recent events emphasise the dangers for Irish troops involved in peacekeeping missions in different parts of the world. How many Irish troops are currently in Kosovo? Will he explain the terms of the mandate under which the Irish troops operate in Kosovo? Has this changed since the Irish troops first went into the area? Is he satisfied that sufficient procedures are in place to secure the safety of Irish troops? Is he satisfied that they have adequate equipment to ensure their safety? When does the mandate for Irish troops in Kosovo expire and is it intended to renew it?
The KFOR mission was established in 1999 in accordance with Security Council Resolution 1244. It was initially intended for a 12-month period but it has continued to be extended. Over the last couple of years the Albanian-Serb situation appeared to be more secure, therefore, last week was a definite setback. There has been no change in the requirement to continue the mission, which appears to be necessary. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Cowen, and I agree that Irish troops will remain in the Balkans. I do not want to put a time limit on it. The Deputy knows I am not anxious to have missions continue for too long. However, we want to ensure the prospect of forming a true democracy, involving peace and an end to violence, is brought about in that part of the world.
I assure the Deputy that all the safety measures and equipment necessary for the maintenance and safety of the troops are in place. There are 260 troops in Kosovo.
Does the Minister accept that the recent events in Kosovo and the renewed outbreak of communal violence, emphasises the importance of measures to bring permanent political stability to the area? Is it true that troops travelling home on holidays or leave are charged €500?
As regards Liberia, the typical cost of returning someone on leave to Ireland would be approximately €2,200, and we ask for a payment of €500. It is clear there is a fairly significant subsidy involved. I do not wish to exaggerate the figures. We try to be as generous as possible within the limits of our resources.
On Deputy Sherlock's first question, there is no doubt that last week has been a definite setback. The international community, including the Irish troops under the Finnish battalion, are carrying out their work in a way we hope will contribute to lasting peace, including the provision of a secure democracy and the installation of the various services and so on which the people of Kosovo deserve. We will play our part to make that happen as early as possible. The ethnic violence that broke out is a setback and will make matters more difficult at least for the time being.
