Dáil debates

Thursday, 10 April 2008

2:00 pm

Photo of Tom KittTom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The primary role of the Defence Forces, when deployed overseas, is to undertake essential peacekeeping and peacemaking operations under a UN mandate.

As part of their participation in peace support operations, the Defence Forces have traditionally adopted a number of small-scale humanitarian operations in support of the local communities where they are deployed. Recent examples of this are in Liberia and Kosovo.

The main source of funding towards this humanitarian work comes in the form of a financial subvention from the Irish Aid programme, which is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, supplemented by the voluntary contributions of contingent members.

In Liberia the arrangements and procedures put in place between the Department of Defence and Irish Aid proved very effective for the expenditure of funds provided by Irish Aid. Each rotation by the Defence Forces was given €15,000 by Irish Aid, that is, €30,000 per annum, and each rotation had delegated authority for the approval and implementation of projects financed from the funds provided.

In the case of projects supported by the Defence Forces serving in Kosovo, Irish Aid provides funds on a case by case basis. Since 2005, Irish Aid has provided funding in excess of €150,000 towards such projects.

This funding has proved to be a very effective means of supporting communities and integrating our forces into local communities and I expect this arrangement with Irish Aid to continue. I would not expect, however, that the Defence Forces would increase their engagement in this regard as it might impact on their primary role overseas — peacekeeping and peacemaking.

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