Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like Deputy Finian McGrath, Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl gives a little too much credence to the nonsense he reads in Phoenix. There has been no decision about numbers of troops. I dealt with this issue at some length. There is a United Nations proposal for a mission. As I indicated in my earlier reply, we are considering technical areas in which we can provide personnel. The matter is being assessed within the Defence Forces and no decision of any description has been made as to whether we will participate in the mission.

My personal view is that the mission is important. If we can help to bring stability and peace to the area, we should make a positive contribution. I await recommendations from within the Defence Forces as to whether there are areas within which we can assist the mission and whether we should provide personnel. I have no idea from where the figure of 400 might have come other than the brain of some journalist who felt the need to fill space in a particular periodical. I always find it interesting when people write authoritatively that definitive decisions have been made on matters I am dealing with when no decision of any description has yet been made.

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