Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

We have accorded central importance to the primary role of the UN Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security. Ireland's obligation under the United Nations Charter to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security is reflected in our long and well-regarded history of participation in overseas missions mandated by the United Nations.

The tripe lock mechanism of Government decision, Dáil approval and UN authorisation, has allowed Ireland, a country which cherishes its tradition of military neutrality, to deploy troops to support peace operations in trouble spots. I wish to reaffirm my party's commitment to the triple lock system. The importance of our adherence to this system is two-fold. It shows our commitment to military neutrality and the UN. It also demonstrates that global security can only be achieved by the international community working together.

Concerns were raised during the general election campaign as a result of Fine Gael's calls to alter the UN component of this triple lock system. In its manifesto, it called for this obligation to be modified. At the time, the Labour Party rightly said such a measure would "rip-up Ireland's longstanding commitment to military neutrality" and Fianna Fáil echoed these criticisms. I was glad to hear this week that the two coalition parties have ironed out their differences and that the Minister for Defence has reaffirmed Ireland's commitment to the triple lock approach. The Minister, Deputy Shatter, pointed out this week that "the existence of such UN mandates confers legitimacy upon and acceptance of peace support operations by groups engaged in conflict".

Over 50 years have passed since Ireland made its first contribution to peacekeeping. In 1958, as part of an armed military observer mission known as the UN observer group in Lebanon, approximately 50 officers set out as observers along the armistice demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel. More than half a century later, Ireland is again being asked to serve in the region. This debate centres on a request to provide a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service with UNIFIL. If the request is approved by the House - I sincerely hope it is - the total number of personnel deployed overseas will amount to approximately 570 when the contingent is fully deployed in late June. We have been told that no special training programmes, other than the requisite pre-deployment training for contingents being deployed overseas, are envisaged. If extra training is required, however, I expect it will be provided.

Ireland has a long and proud tradition of service in Lebanon. I welcome the opportunity for our Defence Forces to build on the substantial contribution they have made to the peace and security of the region. I wish to pay tribute to the 47 Irish troops who lost their lives in the cause of peace in Lebanon since 1978. Overseas service is an important feature of life in the Defence Forces. It is the reason many men and women join the Defence Forces in the first place. At any given time, there can be approximately 1,600 troops overseas. Our commitments under the United Nations standby arrangement system, to which we signed up in 1998, mean that at all times we must be in a position to offer up to 850 Defence Forces personnel for UN peacekeeping operations, if called upon. Regular periods of service overseas help to ensure our troops provide the best and most professional service. This is the best way to keep troops alert and enthused. As we speak some 130 Defence Forces personnel are contributing to 11 different missions throughout the world.

In 1960, the Government, in response to a request for assistance from the UN, agreed to deploy Irish troops to the Congo to serve in their first major UN mission. The mission marked a major chapter in our history as it was the first opportunity for the Defence Forces to serve alongside armies from other nations. Over 6,000 Irishmen served in the Congo between 1960 and 1964. The mission is remembered for tragic reasons as 26 Irish soldiers lost their lives in its service. Ireland has made a major contribution to missions throughout the world over the years. Conflicts in Africa, the Middle East and Central America have meant there has been no shortage of demand for UN troops. In the last decade, Irish troops have contributed to peace missions in Liberia, Lebanon, Chad, Kosovo and Bosnia. At present, our main overseas missions are the EU-led Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the NATO-led international security presence in Kosovo with 12 personnel. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with the UN and the OSCE. Other staff are deployed at the organisational headquarters of the EU, the OSCE and NATO.

As I have said, one must feel proud of the thousands of members of the Defence Forces who have carried out their duties to the highest international standards over the years. Our troops have gained extensive experience and have risen to the continuing challenges of peacekeeping. They have shown a capacity to undertake increasingly complex and difficult missions. The investment in and modernisation of equipment, training and infrastructure over the past ten years has allowed this to happen. As a result, we are regularly approached to provide personnel to support peace operations such as that in Lebanon. The nature of peacekeeping has change extensively over the years, from blue hat UN-led mission to regionally-led operations. Our troops have changed with this by adapting to new circumstances. The development of the EU Security and Defence Policy has placed a greater onus on member states, collectively and individually, to contribute personnel in support of UN-mandated crisis management operations.

An important element of Ireland's approach to peacekeeping missions is the engagement of our troops at all levels of the community in the region where they serve. Over the years, we have built a good reputation for our efforts in liaising with local populations and providing support and humanitarian assistance. The fact that a number of Irish officers have held the most senior appointments in several UN missions is a testament to the fact that our Defence Forces are held in high regard. Brigadier General Gerry Hegarty was appointed to command the multinational task force in Kosovo, while Lieutenant General Pat Nash was appointed as EU operation commander of the mission in Chad. I support the proposal to send our troops to Lebanon to build on the contribution they have made there over the years. I wish them the best of luck in their efforts.

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