Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The concern we have is not what we have currently but what we might have. There is a new element in this, which is that the Minister can delegate to any force. It goes back to that phrase "any force", and it is not any force as constrained even by the definition of international organisation in the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, although I personally think that is quite wide. It is any force and there is a concern in that regard. Yes, checks and balances are put in place in terms of our United Nations missions.Such missions are certainly not the target or intention of this provision but, rather, where there are other forces or engagements. With respect, when we talk of the things we are proud of, I was in the Chamber three or four years ago when we were debating joining Operation Sophia. Everybody spoke about how proud they were of the navy and I pointed out that, in fact, the legislation we were passing would lead to our delegating operational control differently and working, in effect, within Operation Sophia rather than to the mandate we had. I know there are reasons-----