Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and his officials for their time today. The outstanding reputation that the Minister referred to is well earned and well deserved. We need not forget the struggles and loss of life that our Defence Forces have endured on overseas missions and that have led to their professional and humane peacekeeper reputation.

I wish to examine this report from a slightly different angle. The Minister referred to the changing and complex nature of UN missions. In recent weeks, this committee has heard about the concerning and serious potential for future conflicts caused by a myriad of reasons, including climate change. It is becoming clear that an increasing number of regions are facing instability and that the UN is likely to view them as needing peacebuilding and peacekeeping. Something else that has become clear, and on which previous witnesses before this committee have agreed, is that the establishment of peace is one thing, but maintaining it is a separate piece of work. Based on the experience of our Defence Forces on overseas missions, which we all recognise, in what roles could they be involved as part of a future UN mission? Are there fields or emerging roles in which our Defence Forces could be playing a significant part? How does the Commission on the Defence Forces fit into that scenario?

None of us is comfortable with the idea of mandatory overseas selection outside of special skill sets being required due to staff shortages. However, if there is a role where we see a potential increase for our involvement, do we have the capability to increase our Defence Forces' numbers, specialist training and equipment in that regard?