Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Defence the new tasks and responsibilities that have been given to Irish troops serving in Liberia following the expansion of their operation to provide back-up security for a war crimes court in neighbouring Sierra Leone; his views on whether the political atmosphere in the area is particularly volatile and will expose the troops to some danger; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7182/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Defence the expected deployment of troops to Liberia for the remainder of 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7196/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 66 together.

Ireland has participated in UNMIL since December 2003 following a decision of the Government on 24 June 2003, and the subsequent approval by Dáil Éireann of the necessary enabling motion. Since then, the UN Security Council has authorised the continuation of UNMIL for successive periods and the Government has approved continued Irish participation.

Ireland, together with an infantry company group from Sweden, provides the quick reaction force, QRF, to the UNMIL force commander. The Irish contingent comprises 426 personnel. The QRF initially acted in a pathfinder role, going into the countryside, stabilising the situation, establishing contacts with local leaders and preparing the ground for the follow on deployment of the larger UN forces. Once this was completed, the QRF became the rapid response element within UNMIL responding to any crises that arose within the area of operations and supporting deployed contingents through long range patrols into the countryside. While it has been a difficult mission, particularly in terms of the operating environment, it is working very well for the Defence Forces.

On 19 September 2005, the UN Security Council, acting under chapter VII of the UN charter unanimously adopted Resolution No. 1626 extending the mandate of UNMIL until 31 March 2006. The resolution further authorised UNMIL to deploy personnel to Sierra Leone to provide a continuing security detail for the special court for Sierra Leone in Freetown; to deploy an adequate number of military personnel to Sierra Leone; and, if and when needed, to evacuate the security detail, as well as officials of the special court for Sierra Leone, in the event of a serious security crisis. The special court is an independent tribunal established jointly by the UN and the Government of Sierra Leone in 2002 to bring to justice those who bear greatest responsibility for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sierra Leone after 30 November 1996, at the height of that country's civil war between 1991 and 2002.

On 11 November 2005, the UN Security Council further extended UNMIL's mandate to include the apprehension, detention and transfer to the special court for Sierra Leone of the former Liberian President, Charles Taylor, in the event of his return to Liberia. In September 2005, the UN requested Ireland's support in expanding the area of operations of UNMIL to include Sierra Leone and in particular to allow Irish troops to be made available for extraction operations should there be a requirement to evacuate the staff and detainees of the special court of Sierra Leone in Freetown. A joint Irish-Swedish reconnaissance team visited UNMIL and Sierra Leone between 9 and 13 November 2005. The purpose of the visit was to assess the situation on the ground, with a view to making a recommendation on supporting the proposed operation. The key issues for consideration by the team were threat analysis, command and control and logistic support. On foot of the reconnaissance report, the chief of staff of the Defence Forces advised that the envisaged operation in Sierra Leone, should it come to pass, was within the Defence Forces competence to perform from within the resources presently deployed in the QRF. The Irish contingent assumed its additional responsibilities in late December 2005 following Dáil approval on 15 December 2005.

UNMIL is providing a permanent guard of 250 personnel of the Mongolian contingent at the special court. In late January 2006, Irish and Swedish troops of the QRF conducted rehearsals of the extraction plan, without difficulties, and with the full support of all the Sierra Leone and UN agencies involved. The political climate in Sierra Leone is assessed as calm. The Secretary General of the UN has indicated that there will be a review of the UNMIL mission in March 2006, and depending on the political and security situation in Liberia at that time, a downsizing schedule for the UNMIL mission will be agreed. From the outset the Government has signalled its intention that Defence Forces involvement in UNMIL would not exceed two to three years in duration and the United Nations has been advised accordingly. The Defence Forces, together with its Swedish partners will, therefore, conclude their service with UNMIL by the end of 2006. The UN has been advised accordingly.