Mr. Stephen Kelly:

I do not agree because it is just a minimum requirement to have UN Security Council approval or approval from the UN General Assembly under the "uniting for peace" jurisdiction. There is no requirement for Ireland to deploy troops where the UN decides to authorise a deployment. A reference was made earlier to the disastrous Korean War which was UN-authorised. We do not envisage Irish troops should simply go wherever the UN wants it to go. It should be a decision of the Dáil and of the Government but the UN is a necessary safeguard.