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

I think the Deputy said "Mali". He might have meant "Somalia". There was a reason for that, which I can come to. In the context of Mali, there is a possibility of some additional members of the Defence Forces becoming engaged. There is no question of limiting our role. I merely said that, so far, we were playing a limited role in that context because there has been substantial emphasis on peacekeeping. I think conflict resolution is of substantial important. That is why we have members of the Defence Forces participating in the course that I mentioned. I see it as a role in which we can have a greater engagement. I think, in fact, the Deputy and myself are at one on those issues.

The withdrawal from Somalia was not for that reason. It was because the nature of the mission very substantially changed. There were particular reasons about which the Deputy asked a question. I am sure it can be replied to in detail in that regard.

The Deputy and I are at one. This is an important area. I think, in the context of the various conflict zones that exist across the world, when we deploy troops to particular areas, the capacity of our troops to engage in the manner that the Deputy describes can, on occasion, be of great value. I would see this in the coming years as an expanding role, not a role to be limited, but there have to be particular circumstances to which it is appropriate. We cannot engage in a role of that nature obviously in areas to which it is not appropriate.

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