Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Defence

Overseas Missions

11:00 pm

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 43: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent visit to Liberia; if he will report on his meeting with the new Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11770/06]

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 59: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent visit to Liberia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11845/06]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 74: To ask the Minister for Defence if, during his recent visit to Liberia, he gave a commitment to the Liberian Government that Ireland would play a long-term role in the maintenance of peace in Liberia; the role he envisages Ireland playing in Liberia in the future; if he will make available to the Liberian Government a number of Irish military specialists to advise its military; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11771/06]

Photo of John GormleyJohn Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 88: To ask the Minister for Defence if Ireland's UN peacekeeping role in Liberia will be extended beyond the end of 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11800/06]

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 115: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received representations from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for Irish troops to remain in Liberia beyond the planned withdrawal date at the end of 2006; if so, the likely response to this request; the basis on which the request was made; if a decision has been made on this issue; if a Dáil Éireann decision is required to extend the mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11769/06]

Photo of Ciarán CuffeCiarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 119: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on his recent visit to Liberia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11803/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 59, 74, 88, 115 and 119 together.

During the period 28 February 2006 to 2 March 2006 I took the opportunity to pay a short visit to Liberia where I met the Irish personnel of 94th infantry battalion, United Nations Mission in Liberia, UNMIL. The primary purpose of my visit was to see at first hand the work of the Defence Forces personnel serving with UNMIL and to convey to them, on behalf of the Government and the people, the deep appreciation felt regarding the outstanding manner in which they perform their duties in this challenging mission. On my visit, I was accompanied by the Secretary General of the Department, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and Ireland's ambassador to Nigeria, who is accredited to Liberia.

During the course of my visit, I also met the newly elected President of Liberia, EllenJohnson-Sirleaf, and the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General, SRSG, AlanDoss. I also paid a courtesy call to the DeputyForce Commander UNMIL, Major GeneralMuhammad Tahir.

Sadly, Ireland's first contingent to UNMIL suffered one fatality, Sergeant Derek Mooney, who died in a motor accident in Liberia in November 2003. During the course of my visit to Camp Clara, I laid a wreath at the UN memorial for Irish troops killed in peacekeeping action. A number of humanitarian projects are currently being assisted by the Irish battalion with funding from Irish Aid. While in Liberia I visited St. Michael's Hospice, which is one of the projects being supported.

During my meeting with President Johnson-Sirleaf, who was accompanied by her Minister for Foreign Affairs, George Wallace, and her special security adviser, the President expressed her gratitude to the Irish Government for the Defence Forces contribution to peace in Liberia and the vital role played by them in maintaining the peace, which she stated has been exceptional. She said that while the UN had brought peace to Liberia, the danger of violence has not gone away. She hoped that Ireland would continue its strong support for Liberia to ensure stability and encourage economic growth. In this regard, the President raised the question of extending the stay of the Irish contingent into 2007. I informed her that the Irish Government has extended the contingent's stay until the end of this year. However, I indicated that if security matters changed dramatically, the Government might look at the situation again.

Special Representative Doss thanked the Government for the vital assistance provided by the Irish personnel serving with UNMIL and also raised the question of extending the stay of the Irish contingent into 2007. In his recent report on the UNMIL mission to the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary General, Kofu Annan, has recommended that, following an initial reduction in force levels by one infantry battalion in mid-2006 and another in early 2007, a downsizing of the mission begin in early 2007, subject to the political and security situation in Liberia at that time.

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. We have reiterated and confirmed the position regarding our withdrawal to the UN on many occasions since then. The Irish commitment to UNMIL is until November 2006, when we are due to withdraw from the mission together with our Swedish partners. It is intended to commence downsizing in June 2006.

In a letter to the Taoiseach on 3 March 2006, the UN Secretary General has requested Ireland to consider postponing the withdrawal of its troops from UNMIL for a period of at least six months in order to give the UN time to find a suitable replacement for the quick reaction force, QRF, capability. This request is currently under consideration. The UN has made a similar request to the Swedish authorities.

For the moment our clear focus is on withdrawal towards the end of this year. However, if the situation in Liberia deteriorated significantly later this year, we would obviously look again at the situation. We would not abandon the mission. Our current assessment is that the situation, while continuing to be fragile, is stable and progressing positively and the remaining forces should be well capable of handling the ongoing security situation.

That said, I assure Deputies that Ireland remains committed to peace support operations in Africa under a UN flag. We will obviously consider the request of the UN Secretary General in detail. It may be the case that further consultations with the UN could help elaborate the specific issues which are concerning the Secretary General and that we could consider the matter further in that context.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.