Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I join my colleagues in welcoming the Minister of State to the House and wishing the Irish troops well on this important peacekeeping mission. As part of the triple lock mechanism, the Oireachtas is consulted and must approve such missions. We have had this type of debate on a number of occasions. When our troops return home from this mission — hopefully, it will be a successful one — it might be appropriate to ensure a mechanism whereby the Minister would report to the House is put in place to enable us to assess the success of the mission, highlight problems which may have emerged and plan for improvements in future missions. I do not believe it is a tradition that we reflect on missions in the aftermath of them. Perhaps for future reference it would be useful for the Minister to report back to the House on this to enable us to learn lessons for the future.

I concur with all that has been said about the issues of concern in regard to this mission, given the dangerous territory on which the Irish troops will operate. The background to this mission is the deteriorating situation in Sudan and Darfur and the total lack of an appropriate UN intervention in Darfur.

When we discuss the issue of foreign affairs in this House or elsewhere, be it in respect of Iraq, Afghanistan or another location, there is always a tendency to complain about the involvement of the United States. However, we must question the impact of the United Nations in this regard. It is very disappointing that it has been so ineffective in Darfur. If it had intervened positively at an earlier date, the current circumstances would not obtain. We must recognise that unless there is major reform of the United Nations and much greater willingness on its part to intervene when and where required, we will continue to have such problems. It is very easy and cheap for politicians to bash the United States for its intervention in conflicts throughout the world. That said, if the United Nations is to serve as an international policeman, it must examine its role and scrap its policy of standing idly by while conflicts in locations such as Darfur continue to worsen.

During the term of the previous Dáil, especially at meetings of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Joint Committee on European Affairs, a number of interviews were held with representatives of charities, particularly GOAL. The chief executive officer of GOAL, John O'Shea, may not get it right all the time but his view on the deteriorating circumstances in Darfur needs to taken on board more closely, not only by the Irish Government but also by the European Union and the international community. If there is no change in this regard, we will continue to have debates such as this since we will again be required to send Irish troops on peacekeeping missions.

The conflict in Sudan, including Darfur, and the Central African Republic is an international tragedy and I am sure Irish troops will play a very effective role. I concur with Senator Cummins's point that the troops are looking forward to the mission and doing what they are trained to do. I have every confidence in them because they are as well trained as any army worldwide. They are trained for peacekeeping and I am sure they will carry out their mission very effectively. The conditions locally are serious and the mission will be one of the most difficult, if not the most difficult, ever undertaken by Irish troops. Issues arise in respect of water supply, infrastructure and health care facilities. The lack of helicopter support must also be taken seriously.

I wish the Irish troops well. In a sense, it is an honour for the Irish community to be adopting such an international role. I am sure the mission will be successful and I hope that in 12 months or so, the Minister of State will return to the House to reflect on it and outline what can be learned therefrom such that we can make improvements.