Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I respect all of the views across the House. First, I shall answer Deputy Healy-Rae's question on pay. The Minister for Finance is due to bring the report of the independent Public Service Pay Commission to Cabinet shortly.

While I respect all views across the House, for or against the motion, I must pick up on Deputy Catherine Connolly's point. She stated - and I shall paraphrase - that I look after our friends. If the Deputy takes the time to read my opening statement, she will see that I never meant such a thing. Deputy Connolly only entered the Chamber when I was concluding my opening remarks so I do not know how she could have known what I said.

Last year, Ireland celebrated 60 years of an unbroken legacy of providing forces to UN peacekeeping missions, which we have done since 1958. As a strong supporter of the United Nations, and in line with our commitment under the United Nations Charter, Ireland is committed to making Defence Forces personnel available for United Nations mandated missions. Over the past six decades, Ireland and its people have made some significant contributions to the United Nations. There is no doubt that this mission is another significant contribution.

Members posed many questions and I will try - in no specific order - to reply to them. I was asked if this will be a safe mission. This is not a safe mission. It is a very high risk mission but I have every confidence in the Army Ranger Wing of Oglaigh na hÉireann having the capability and capacity to participate on this mission. I have been given advice by the Department and by members of military management who visited the mission in Mali, spoke to the force commander and at first hand what is happening out there.

I was asked how Defence Forces will integrate with their German counterparts. I have no issue in this regard. Ireland has a proud tradition of integrating with many other like-minded nations. That is why we participate in battle groups and on peacekeeping missions with other countries. It is also why we bring personnel from other countries here to train.

Our troops will be in Mali for 24 months. The staff officers will be on six-month rotations and the Army Ranger Wing personnel will have four-month rotations

Deputy Boyd Barrett asked why Canada is pulling out of the MINUSMA mission. Canada's contribution of six helicopters and support troops was part of a one-year deployment. Canada is due to be replaced by Romania as part of a scheduled rotation at the end of July. Several other countries are rotating the provision of C-130 transport aircraft.

The MINUSMA mission was established in 2013 and we always showed an interest in participating in it. We have always asked the Defence Forces whether we could fit into this mission. Since 2013, military management and the Department have examined this mission and are of the view now is the right time. We talked about sending staff officers to the headquarters in Bamako but the general staff has concluded, following a recent and further reconnaissance visit to the MINUSMA mission, that all of the concerns we had have been addressed to such an extent that they can recommend our participation now.

The resolution has not been changed. The mission mandate is being renewed. There is a big difference between something being renewed and changed. There has never been a question of this mandate being changed. Nobody here this evening can quote anybody who stated that this mandate has been changed. The mandate is being renewed this month. There are no indications that it will change. It will be extended. Those are the indications coming from the United Nations.

I could go on here for the next hour trying to answer the questions.

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