Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My question was around it being very interpretable, and concerning with regard to how partners Dr. Burke has highlighted are interpreting the UN Charter.

Second, I would go to the question of how. I am not going to focus on the mandate of how it is given, and I do believe it can be given by a General Assembly but I want to know what the mandate is for and what the purposes of it are.

I actually agree with Dr. Burke with respect to the idea around Article 8 and "with consent". I think there should maybe be flexibility and something like a reform should be looked to but that is not what this legislation does. This legislation moves from a situation where we had "for the performance of duties of a police character". That is what was in the 2006 Act; it is not just that it is from the mandate from the UN General Assembly or Security Council but it is "for the performance of duties of a police character". Now it is for purposes that include not just peacekeeping but conflict prevention and strengthening international security.