Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 652: To ask the Minister for Defence if the primary reason for the decision to withdraw Defence Forces from the UN mission in Liberia at the end of 2006 is to ensure the commitment to EUFOR and KFOR can be maintained without compromising an anticipated commitment to the EU battle groups. [23788/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been serving with the United Nations mission in Liberia, UNMIL, since December 2003. Initial deployment was for one year, an extension of which was approved by Government for another year in December 2004, subject to renewal of the UN mandate and a satisfactory review of the mission. Later this year, I will be bringing proposals to the Government for the continued deployment of a contingent with the mission beyond December 2005.

My predecessor signalled the Government's intention that Defence Forces involvement in UNMIL would not exceed two to three years in duration and the United Nations has been advised accordingly. Elections, which are planned for October 2005, under the comprehensive peace agreement of August 2003, should be completed by the time the Irish contingent withdraws. We are there to assist the people of Liberia to regain the peace they deserve. It is now general policy that deployments of Defence Forces contingents to peace support missions overseas should be for defined periods.