Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's position in relation to the announcement of the independence of Kosovo, including the future presence of the Defence Forces in the new circumstances that are created. [16823/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the progress in the deployment of the EULEX ESDP to Kosovo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16883/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 48 together.

On 17 February 2008 the Kosovo Assembly adopted a resolution which declared Kosovo's independence. At the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 18 February, EU Foreign Ministers agreed a common response to Kosovo's declaration of independence, noting the uniqueness of Kosovo's situation, arising from the conflict of the 1990s and the eight years of UN administration which followed, and reaffirming the EU's willingness to play a leading role in strengthening stability in the region including by means of the planned ESDP rule of law mission, EULEX Kosovo. The Council also agreed that Member States will decide, in accordance with national practice and international law, on their relations with Kosovo.

Since then, 18 EU Member States, including Ireland, have recognised Kosovo's independence. At least 21 of the 27 EU Member States are expected to recognise Kosovo in the medium term.

The Government decided on 28 February that Ireland would recognise the Republic of Kosovo. On the same day, the Minister for Foreign Affairs wrote formally to the President of Kosovo. In that letter, the Minister welcomed the clear commitment of Kosovo to the full implementation of all obligations contained in the Comprehensive Proposal of the UN Special Envoy, Martti Ahtisaari, and informed President Sedjiu of the Government's decision to recognise the independence of the Republic of Kosovo and to establish non-resident diplomatic relations from our Embassy in Hungary.

There are currently two hundred and eighty-five Defence Forces personnel serving with KFOR. In August 2007, Ireland assumed the role of Framework Nation for the Multinational Task Force (Centre) (MNTF (C)) for one year under the command of Brigadier General Gerry Hegarty. Ireland is committed to maintaining our presence in KFOR as part of a concerted effort for the promotion of stability in the region. In advance of Kosovo's declaration of independence, the Attorney General advised that, in fulfilment of the requirement of the Defence Acts, KFOR would continue to be based on a UN mandate through the continuation in force of Security Council resolution 1244.

EULEX Kosovo aims to assist Kosovo institutions, judicial authorities and law enforcement agencies in developing and strengthening an independent and multi-ethnic justice system and police and customs service in line with recognised standards and best practice.

Deployment of the mission has already begun. There are now over 180 international staff present in Kosovo. Once it reaches full operational capability, the mission will have around 1,900 international police officers, judges, prosecutors and customs officials and approximately 1,100 local staff who will either be based in headquarters in Pristina or located throughout the judicial and police system in Kosovo. There remains some outstanding issues in regard to the deployment of EULEX Kosovo in northern Kosovo, and to its relationship with the UN Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). These issues are under active consideration with the Council of Ministers and the UN.

My colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Brian Lenihan T.D., has consented to the request of the Garda Commissioner for the secondment of up to eight members of An Garda Síochána to serve with EULEX Kosovo. My colleague, the Minister for Defence, Mr Willie O'Dea T.D., has also agreed to the assignment to the mission of one support staff from the Department of Defence. I very much welcome this involvement by the Garda and the Department of Defence in this civil ESDP mission which is in line with the Government's approach of enhancing Ireland's role in such missions.