Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The key issue is that this country is in serious strife. There has been a coup d'état and human rights abuses on both sides. We have a United Nations resolution that we should try to help resolve that matter. We have a commitment from the existing Government in Mali to have free and fair elections. It is worthwhile being involved in that, and I am proud of Ireland's involvement in support of that mission. None of our troops will be combatants, but they will be training and working to ensure that issues relating to international law and the laws relating to armed conflict are fully recognised. I have no doubt that the United Nations will also ensure that whatever international jurisprudence can apply in terms of bringing anybody who violates human rights before the International Criminal Court or any other court, will apply. However, it would be wrong for this country not to bring about peace in a land where there is so much trouble and so many refugees.

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