Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Defence

Overseas Missions

11:00 pm

Photo of Damien EnglishDamien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has had a request for troops to serve as part of a peacekeeping force in the Congo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11848/06]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Defence if a decision has been taken at European level concerning the composition of an EU peacekeeping mission to safeguard upcoming elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo; if a decision has been taken on which country will take the lead role in this mission; the Government's view on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11773/06]

Photo of Dan BoyleDan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Defence if Defence Forces will be sent to the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a proposed EU military force in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11801/06]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on a new EU peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo; if the Defence Forces capability is suitable for involvement in such a mission; when troops may be deployed on this mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11774/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 48, 64, 83 and 100 together.

Following on from a request from the UN, the EU is currently examining the question of providing a supporting operation, under an EU flag, for MONUC, the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Various options for the mission are currently being considered within the EU, which has indicated that it is positively disposed towards supporting MONUC. Fact-finding missions to the DRC and also to the UN in New York have been undertaken.

The main purpose of the mission is to be available to support MONUC during the upcoming election process. The EU will not be substituting for MONUC but rather providing a supporting role in the event of unrest during the election period. The current plan is that a protection force — possibly up to 400 — will be located on the ground, probably in Kinshasa. Outside of this, there will be an Over the Horizon force, either in Europe or possibly in a neighbouring state, ready to deploy, should it be required. Total numbers could be around 1,500. Germany will provide the operational headquarters for the mission which will be based in Potsdam. The force headquarters, which will be supplied by France, will be based in Kinshasa. Together Germany and France will provide approximately two thirds of the force. The mission is currently in the initial planning stages. The specific structure, organisation, tasks and roles of the force and the contributors to it have yet to be fully elaborated. This should happen over the next few weeks.

Ireland is positively disposed towards the proposed mission and supports a positive response from the EU to the UN. In this regard, Ireland wrote to the chairman of the EU military staff confirming that Ireland was prepared to offer up to ten headquarters personnel for the mission subject to national decision making procedures. Our proposed contribution is well in line with that of other contributing member states and has to be looked at in the context of our existing major commitments to peacekeeping operations in Africa and in the Balkans.

I assure the Deputy that any contribution will satisfy the requirements of the Defence Acts in relation to participation. Discussions are ongoing in the UN in relation to an appropriate mandate for the mission. As the proposed offer involves fewer than ten troops, Dáil approval is not required in this instance. I cannot state specifically when the UN Security Council resolution will be passed or when Government decision will be made at this time. However, I would expect this to be in the next few weeks, given that the elections in the DRC are due in June. I also understand that Germany, which will lead the force, expects to deploy at the end of May or the beginning of June.

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