Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 18: To ask the Minister for Defence, further to a question concerning the legal basis for the triple lock, the section of Defence Acts which state that service outside the State by the Defence Forces can only be with a UN force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12399/05]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 31: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will reform the triple lock mechanism which governs the deployment of contingents of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12324/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 31 together.

The specific provision, within the corpus of Defence legislation, under which members of the Permanent Defence Force can be deployed overseas is contained in section 2 of the Defence Amendment (No. 2) Act 1960.

Section 2 of the above Act provides that a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force may be despatched for service outside the State as part of a particular International United Nations Force if, but only if, a resolution has been passed by Dáil Éireann approving of the despatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service outside the State as part of that International United Nations Force.

"International United Nations Force" is defined in the Defence Amendment Act 1993 as "an international force or body established by the Security Council or the General Assembly of the United Nations".

The UN mandate for the force and the Dáil resolution provided for in section 2 of the Defence Amendment (No. 2) Act 1960 form two elements of what has become known as the triple lock. The third element is the Government decision approving the dispatch of the contingent and the introduction of an appropriate resolution in Dáil Éireann.

Section 2(2) of the Defence Amendment (No. 2) Act 1960 provides that a contingent of the Defence Forces can serve overseas in the absence of a Dáil resolution where the force is unarmed, where the contingent consists of no more than 12 members of the Permanent Defence Force, or where the contingent is intended to replace, in whole or in part, or reinforce an existing contingent.

As I have stated on many occasions, both in response to questions in this House and in my public speeches, I have no plans to reform the current arrangements in relation to the triple lock.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 19: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on the situation in Liberia; the strength of the Irish Defence Forces contingent serving there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12332/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Defence Forces contingent, which was deployed for service with the United Nations mission in Liberia, UNMIL, in December 2003, currently comprises a motorised infantry battalion, of some 410 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, which consists of troops mainly from the southern brigade area, commenced a six month tour of duty in December 2004. The 93rd infantry battalion drawn from the western brigade will replace them in early June.

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. Additionally, the QRF is currently conducting patrols to support election profiling efforts for the forthcoming national elections to be held on the 11 October next.

The situation in Liberia is currently assessed as calm. 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.