Dr. Edward Burke:

That is why having the Oireachtas review mandate is important. These deployments evolve. I will add one point about moving up to the 50 figure. I was comfortable with the figure of 12 because it allowed for deployments of people to headquarters. If the Oireachtas has to vote on sending three soldiers to peacekeeping missions abroad, such as the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it can be quite onerous for the Legislature. Fifty is quite a large number. It is a reinforced platoon number, which includes a platoon and support. It is important that the Oireachtas can review that. I understand that in an emergency, as international situations change, the Government may need to deploy small numbers of troops to support the UN at very short notice. I understand that. Other countries have a six-month window to come back and reassess. If more than 12 soldiers, perhaps 50, are being deployed, it is a number that should have parliamentary assent. My view is that should be assessed regularly. It is not irrelevant, to answer the Deputy's first question.