Brian Stanley (Laois, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am happy enough with that answer. I realise the witnesses are anxious to answer, for which I thank them, but there are a couple of other areas in the Bill I want to refer to.

We have thrashed out at length the idea of deployment as part of a regional force with witnesses both for and against it. It is clear it is provided for within the proposed Bill. Where 100 or 200 Irish troops are deployed as part of a larger force, be it a NATO-led force, a regional force, an EU force or another force, is it correct that the senior Irish officer in command of the Irish troops is subject to the senior command of the higher authority? Could our guests answer that based on their experience as military leaders? The Irish State is subject to international law. If the most senior Irish officer felt that the action his troops were being asked to carry out was in breach of international law and UN regulations, would he or she be in a position to refuse to carry out the order? I want a brief answer and do not want to pin down the guests too much on it. As a layperson, I am trying to understand the matter.