There was also a ridiculous peacekeeping operation in Macedonia. Under the triple-lock arrangements, Ireland accepted such operations must have a UN mandate and be approved by the Government and the Oireachtas. As a result our troops could not be deployed in Macedonia because there was no formal UN resolution following difficulties with the Chinese in agreeing such a resolution. Ireland must get real on this issue. I have learned from my limited experience of foreign travel that Ireland is regarded as an honest broker and as a country that has deployed considerable numbers of troops at flashpoints throughout the world, such as the Congo and the Lebanon.