Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Discussions have taken place with regard to the proposed takeover by the EU, as mandated by the UN, of the NATO led operation in Bosnia. I understand this will take place in December. Ireland already has 12 people working on that mission and we have agreed in principle to provide 30 and 50 personnel to the force. Some 7,000 are already participating in this operation and they will be replaced by 7,000 new personnel. This mission, known as Operation Althea, is the only current proposal for future peacekeeping operations although the situation will continue to develop.

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