John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on the participation of members of the Defence Forces in this peace enforcing mission in Liberia. At the outset I welcome the Minister to the House. We may not have always agreed on micro issues within the Defence Forces but on a macro basis I congratulate him on his role as Minister for Defence and on the major reform in the Defence Forces, much of which has been very positive.

Ireland became a member of the United Nations in 1955 and, since 1958, we have had a continuous presence in peacekeeping missions, mainly in the Middle East. The extensive Irish participation in peacekeeping is regarded in very positive terms both by the Government and the Defence Forces. Indeed, in September 1993, the Government restated the role of the Defence Forces and defined one of them as being to participate in United Nations missions in the cause of international peace.