Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Force personnel engaged on mission in Liberia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32264/06]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Defence the situation regarding the Irish troop deployment in Liberia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32312/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Defence if it is intended that Irish troops are expected to participate in further peacekeeping missions in Liberia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32567/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 37 and 179 together.

The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was established on 19 September, 2003, under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1509. The resolution authorized the deployment, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, for a period of twelve months, of up to 15,000 military personnel, to include up to 250 military observers, 875 civilian police officers and a civilian component. UNMIL has a current strength (31 January 2006) of 15,037 military personnel.

Following Government and Dáil approval, a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force was deployed for service with UNMIL in December, 2003, comprising a motorized infantry battalion, of some 430 personnel. A small number of additional personnel were also deployed at Force Headquarters and as Military Observers. On 2 November 2004 and 6 December 2005 the Government reviewed and approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in UNMIL.

The main Irish contingent operates as the Force Commander's Rapid Reaction Reserve. The role of the Irish personnel is the provision of an immediate response capability, deployable in sufficient strength and with the required level of force, to provide a swift and decisive military reaction to any crisis situation.

Initially, the Irish Battalion in UNMIL mainly operated in a path-finding and reconnaissance role, supporting the deployment of other UN contingents. It has also conducted long-range patrols beyond Monrovia and well into the interior of Liberia, showing a UN presence, deterring lawlessness and protecting local populations. The contingent also undertakes regular daily patrols within the Monrovia area. The Irish Battalion is available to the Force Commander to provide support and a rapid response capability in the event of a breakdown in law and order or further conflict. Additionally, the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) conducted patrols to support Election Profiling efforts for the National Elections held on the 11th October and 8th November, 2005.

On 11 November, 2005, the UN Security Council 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. UNMIL assumed responsibility for the security of the Special Court for Sierra Leone from 1 December, 2005. At the request of the UN, Ireland and Sweden agreed to provide support in expanding the area of operations of the QRF to include Sierra Leone, in particular, the Special Court for Sierra Leone. This allowed Irish and Swedish 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.

The QRF assisted in the transfer from Monrovia to the Special Court for Sierra Leone in Freetown of the former President, Charles Taylor, for trial in accordance with the requirements of the UN, following his arrest in Nigeria on 29 March 2006. The QRF also assisted and provided security for the transfer of the former President from Sierra Leone to the court in the Hague where he will stand trial.

Ireland was due to complete its participation in UNMIL in November 2006. However, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, 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 QRF capability. The Government following a detailed review of the request, was happy to be able to respond positively to the UN Secretary General and the Defence Forces will undertake one further 6 month rotation to May, 2007, whereupon the contingent will then be withdrawn. Mission downsizing commenced in June 2006, following discussions with the UN. The Swedish contingent, which partners Ireland in the QRF, will withdraw in November, 2006, and will be replaced by a Company from Pakistan, who will eventually assume the role of QRF on Ireland's withdrawal.