Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Chair and warmly welcome all the witnesses. Their depth of experience is not only their service to the State, which is unbelievable, but also in peacekeeping and within United Nations. It gives a very different flavour to this particular group of witnesses which is much needed in this committee.

There is a deep sense of pride, as Mr. Doyle said with regard to the shiver up the spine and that unbroken tradition with UN peacekeeping missions. We are at this point because there is a belief that the UN Security Council is paralysed and the ability to deploy a UN mandated mission in the future is now in great jeopardy. In fact, it is the case. If Ireland is to continue peacekeeping, what mandate do the witnesses envisage future Irish peacekeeping missions taking place? Is it through the European Union or a so-called coalition of the willing? What does the next 20, 30, 40 years of Irish peacekeeping look like if the UN remains paralysed at Security Council level?