Dr. Cathal Berry:

For Deputies Callaghan and Ó Laoghaire and Senator Clonan, I will say something about the 50-member cap. I have an understanding of why there is going to be an increase from 12 to 50 for international forces. I was put on standby approximately 20 years ago to go to Baghdad. I was put on standby at 7 p.m., or 19:00 hours, during the summer for deployment at 07:00 hours in the morning. It would be impossible for a quorum of the Dáil to be assembled in that limited time before deployment. When it comes to a peacekeeping operation, if a small initial entry force can be deployed, it can stop a major catastrophe from developing. It is about the speed of deployment and not requiring a Dáil resolution for a small group of people, bearing in mind that it may not be possible to assemble the Dáil in such a short period. I hope that helps the committee's deliberations.