Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This question was tabled for two reasons. The principal reason is because there seems to be a difference between what is being said by the Minister for Defence and what is being said by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of State has effectively said that the EU has been found wanting in terms of its decision-making process around Mali. I know many Members of this House have very serious reservations about our participation there. During a recent Question Time with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State at the Department told Deputy Smith that the EU had implemented a comprehensive approach to the situation encompassing diplomatic support, development and humanitarian assistance, as well as support in the areas of security and peacekeeping. Clearly, the two Departments have very different approaches and perspectives on this issue. The Minister for Justice and Equality said that there must be increased potential for specialisation in delivering niche capabilities to be called on when the need arises. I wonder what are the niche capabilities that we might be able to undertake and whether the Minister has taken the Minister of State into his confidence. Could the Minister of State tell the House what are the niche capabilities?

The Dáil today took a very deliberate and major decision, as part of the triple lock process, to despatch troops to Syria. Given that this decision has been taken, can we take it that there is no prospect of large numbers of Irish troops being despatched to Mali at any stage in the near future?

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