Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I welcome the debate on the Defence (Amendment) Bill and the reforms in the legislation. It is important to modernise Bills to bring them up to date with international standards. Before discussing the details of the Bill, I commend the Defence Forces for their magnificent work at home and abroad. We know the record of the Defence Forces over the past 20 or 30 years in acting as peacekeepers in different countries. They made a massive contribution to peace and are highly respected throughout the Middle East. It is very important that Ireland retains an independent, neutral foreign policy line because otherwise it will be damaged. I commend the work of the United Nations. We all know the history of the Lebanon and many people gave their lives for peace. UN soldiers giving their lives for peace and trying to end conflicts in other countries is a noble cause.

I refer to the situation in Gaza. From talking to the Palestinian population, some of whom met the Technical Group yesterday, I know they have a high regard for Irish troops because of the way they respect the Palestinian people in the Middle East, particularly Gaza. It is important to consider the humanitarian aspect of Sudan. Having a family member who served in Sudan, I know the major humanitarian job and the risks taken for peace in serving the community.

Ireland contributes some 560 Defence Forces personnel to 11 missions throughout the world. Some 150 additional personnel are on standby for rapid deployment. The Minister referred to our contribution to the Nordic battle group, which was stood down at the end of June. The Defence Forces are now planning for Ireland's participation in the Austrian-German battle group, which will be on standby for the next six months until 2012. I have a major problem with the term battle groups, which I raised with the previous Government. It disturbs me that, as an independent country, we are associated with battle groups because we are damaging the integrity of the word peacekeeper and United Nations flag. I ask the Minister to do something about this word because it sends out the wrong messages and I do not like it.

Let us consider the situation in Somalia, where millions of people are dying. I would like to see those so-called battle groups getting in there on a humanitarian level rather than arms training in the Austrian-German battle group. If we lose our integrity as an international peacekeeper, we lose respect internationally.

The purpose of the Bill is to amend and update the Defence Acts by providing for the expansion of the potential candidature for the appointment to the posts of military judge and Director of Military Prosecutions to persons other than members of the Defence Forces and the appointment of a Circuit Court judge to perform the functions of the military judge where the military judge is not available. The Bill also provides for an amendment to the powers of the selection committees established for the purpose of selecting a suitable and qualified candidate for appointment to the post of Director of Military Prosecutions and military judge. This legislation is important and the proposals are important.

Digging deeper, section 7 provides that the Minister for Defence, having consulted with the Minister for Justice and Equality, may request the President of the Circuit Court to temporarily designate a Circuit Court judge to perform the functions of a military judge under certain circumstances. Section 7 is a positive and constructive development.

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