Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I suppose it would be possible. In such circumstances, I imagine the troops who had been deployed in accordance with section 3(1)(f) would still be validly there. Obviously, if it became too dangerous we would need to take that into account and might need to withdraw them. The question of their safety would be a matter of agreement between the Government and the host state. If we were satisfied that the host state could make proper provision for their safety we might decide to leave them there. We would need to deal with that situation if it arose.

Subsequent to the United Nations mission to Macedonia that needed to be withdrawn, an EU mission was sent. We did not participate in that mission because of the wording of the resolution. Owing to the way the UN resolution was drafted, the wording of the Defence Act 1954, as amended, did not allow us to participate. We have therefore changed the definition of "international United Nations force" in section 1 of the Bill. The original legislation provides that we can only participate in missions "established" by the United Nations. We have legal advice that "established" includes authorised by regional agencies such as the European Union, the African Union, etc. However, when drafting a resolution, as officials of the United Nations do not have the Irish defence legislation before them, they tend to use terms such as "supports", "endorses", "sanctions" etc., which is why we are now inserting such terms provided a resolution has been passed.

I agree with Senator Mansergh. The decision for Ireland not to participate in a foreign peace support mission without prior sanction of the United Nations is a deliberate sovereign decision of the Government. Other governments have decided otherwise. It is a decision on which they can change their minds and we can also change our minds. It is an exercise of our sovereignty and not an abdication of it.

I will not get into the debate about election promises, the PfP, etc. If I had an afternoon in a library with access to the Internet to research the election promises of all parties, I could come up with many promises from various parties when in opposition that were broken when in government.