Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding Irish troops serving in Liberia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6754/05]

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 95: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on the situation in Liberia and the operations that members of the Defence Forces are engaged in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6738/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 95 together.

The Defence Forces contingent, which was deployed for service with the United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL, in December 2003, comprises a motorised infantry battalion of 428 personnel. A small number of additional personnel have been also deployed at force headquarters and as military observers.

Irish personnel are rotated on a six monthly basis. The 92nd Infantry Battalion commenced a six month tour of duty in December 2004.

Ireland, together with an Infantry Company Group from Sweden, provides the Quick Reaction Force, QRF, to the UNMIL force commander. I very much welcome the participation of Sweden as part of the QRF. This type of co-operation is reflective of the changing dynamics in peacekeeping. The range and diversity of arrangements now in place for peacekeeping allow us to work in tandem with like-minded nations to contribute in a very effective and meaningful manner to peace support operations throughout the world. The role of the Irish personnel is the provision of an immediate response capability, deployable in sufficient strength and with the required level of force to provide a swift and decisive military reaction to any crisis situation.

The Irish battalion in UNMIL has operated in a path-finding and reconnaissance role supporting the deployment of other UN contingents. It has also conducted long-range patrols beyond Monrovia and well into the interior of Liberia showing a UN presence, deterring lawlessness and protecting local populations. The contingent also undertakes regular daily patrols within the Monrovia area. The Irish battalion is available to the force commander to provide support and a rapid response capability in the event of a breakdown in law and order or further conflict.

On 14 December 2004, I accompanied President and Dr. Martin McAleese on their visit to Liberia. The principal purpose of the visit was to meet members of the Irish contingent serving with UNMIL and to observe at first hand the work of the contingent and to convey to them, on behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, our deep appreciation for the outstanding manner in which they continue to perform their duties on overseas service. UNMIL is a challenging assignment and the Defence Forces are to be congratulated on the expeditious manner in which they planned and undertook deployment to this mission.

The situation in Monrovia has remained calm since the unrest in Autumn 2004. However, the speed with which these situations can get out of hand is indicative of the difficult circumstances in which our troops operate and one can never lose sight of this. We will continue to keep this situation under review to ensure that our troops have the necessary equipment and resources to discharge their mandate.