Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 505: To ask the Minister for Defence the circumstances in which Irish UN peacekeepers would be sent to the Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30810/06]

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

The conditions, under which the Defence Forces may participate on overseas peace support operations have been made very clear by the Government. In this regard, the conditions, which have been referred to as the "triple lock", must be satisfied, i.e.,

the operation must be authorized/mandated by the United Nations;

it must be approved by the Government;

and it must be approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann.

Requests from the UN for Irish participation in new missions are dealt with under the United Nations Stand-by Arrangement System (UNSAS) on a case-by-case basis. The factors which inform the Government's consideration of each such request include the following:

An assessment of whether a peacekeeping operation is the most appropriate response

Consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy.

The degree of risk involved.

The extent to which the required skills or characteristics relate to Irish capabilities.

The existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution.

Whether the operation is adequately resourced.

The level of existing commitments to peacekeeping operations and security requirements at home.

While there are risks attaching to any peacekeeping operation, a key aspect and the primary concern in relation to participation in any mission is the safety and security of Defence Forces personnel. For this reason, a detailed reconnaissance and risk assessment is undertaken prior to the deployment of a contingent and the results are considered and evaluated prior to a final decision to deploy.

On 30 August, 2006, the Government approved the despatch of members of the Defence Forces on a fact-finding and reconnaissance missions in connection with the Defence Forces possible participation in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), which was originally established in March 1978. Following the July/August 2006 crisis, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of UNIFIL to the end of August 2007 under UN Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) of 11 August, 2006.

There have been in-depth discussions between the Defence Forces and their Finnish counterparts, including a joint reconnaissance to Lebanon, concerning the possible deployment to UNIFIL of Irish personnel as part of a joint Finnish-Irish unit, the details of which unit are still being worked out.