Mr. Michael Howard:

We have a very good working relationship with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade across all of our remit in this area. The Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, is an integral part of the common foreign and security policy. We work hand in glove in this country and we are closely co-ordinated in European fora. By the standards of countries generally, there are advantages in being small. This country is seen to run a better joined-up operation in this area than some others between defence, military and civil and foreign affairs.

On the question of tying in with Irish Aid in mission areas, we do talk at a policy level here in Ireland. However, we also have to be mindful that when our troops are part of a multinational force, they are operating under a multinational command system. In some cases, that commander would be an Irish officer and we would be careful to ensure that people operate as part of the multinational team and not to go too far into bilateral co-operation with other agencies from their own country that might create the impression that they are not there as part of a UN mission but as part of a bilateral team. It is something of a constraint in terms of how we operate. Ireland has a very good reputation for being a team player in peacekeeping and peace support. We play on the European team and while we would engage in a certain amount of co-operation with local agencies on a goodwill basis, we are always mindful of preserving the unity of the European team.