Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The UN receives a request, which is then transmitted to us. If the UN decides to embark on a peacekeeping operation, Ireland is usually contacted and the Government then makes a decision. Before the Government makes a decision, an assessment, as the Senator correctly stated, is carried out. A number of factors determine whether Ireland participates in a mission. For example, the Defence Forces has a threshold of 800 troops who can be deployed abroad at any time. Participation in new missions depends on how near the limit they are. One of the most important factors is the risk element and we rely exclusively on the military assessment for this. I cannot envisage a scenario where a Minister or a parliamentary delegation would undertake its own investigations to second guess the military, which makes the risk assessment. Sometimes the military outlines a substantial risk attaching to a mission but, nevertheless, because of its importance, the Government decides to go in anyway.

While the military would not necessary advise against doing so, senior personnel would say it is probably okay but certain factors need to be borne in mind. The current mission in Afghanistan, which involves only seven troops, is an example. The situation is volatile and that is why the mandate for the mission is renewed on a four monthly rather than an annual basis. For example, I obtained Government agreement yesterday to extend the mission by another four months from July. However, I am keeping it under review and I am in regular contact with the military about the risk element in Afghanistan. Generally, we rely on the military to carry out the risk assessment and we go on its advice.