John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on the recent deployment of Irish troops to Liberia as part of UNMIL; the plans for this to be Ireland's final deployment to UNMIL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38108/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was established on 19 September, 2003, under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1509. The resolution authorised 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 of approximately 15,000 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 motorised 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 supporting the preparatory arrangements leading up to, and during, the National Elections in Liberia, held on 11 October, 2005 and 8 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 (SCSL) 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. 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 in June 2006 where he will stand trial. The trial will be conducted by a Trial Chamber of the Special Court. The Court has set 2 April, 2007 as the tentative trial date.

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 this month the Defence Forces will undertake one further 6 month rotation to May, 2007, whereupon the contingent will then be withdrawn. The downsizing of the Irish contingent, as part of a phased withdrawal, commenced in June 2006, following discussions with the UN. The Swedish contingent, which previously partnered Ireland in the QRF, withdrew from UNMIL yesterday and was replaced by a Company from Pakistan. Pakistan will take over the full role of the QRF on Ireland's withdrawal in May 2007. The 96th Infantry Battalion, which is currently being deployed to UNMIL, will be the final Defence Forces deployment to the mission.