Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 58: To ask the Minister for Defence his views on committing the full complement of Defence Force members available for overseas missions only to UN led missions once current commitments have expended in view of tightening financial conditions. [35859/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Defence if in the context of the requirement on all Departments to reduce spending he has considered committing the full complement of Defence Force members available for overseas missions only to UN led missions once current commitments have expended. [35860/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 66 together.

The nature of peacekeeping operations is changing from traditional UN led missions to regionally led peace operations with the onus being placed on regional states to organise and assemble peacekeeping troops for the purpose of discharging a UN Mandate. These missions represent the trend in UN peacekeeping where missions operate under the control of an established command structure or a lead nation rather than under direct command of the UN. This change has implications for the manner in which these operations are organised and structured, with a much greater emphasis on bilateral relations with established military command structures, and between participating states and troop contributing countries. However, irrespective of the lead role in the mission, decisions in relation to participation on any particular mission remain a sovereign issue, which in Ireland's case means, the mission must have a UN Mandate and must be approved by the Government and by Dáil Éireann, in accordance with Irish Law.

Having regard to the changing nature of international peace support operations, the question of committing the full complement of Defence Forces members available for overseas missions only to UN- led missions, once current commitments have expended, does not arise. Given Ireland's strong commitment to the United Nations, it would be entirely inappropriate for us to restrict our potential to respond to requests from the UN, which include requests for force contributions other than in Blue Hat operations, in this manner.

A decision to commit Defence Forces personnel to any mission is made following very careful consideration of many issues. The following factors are taken into account by Ireland when considering any particular request: 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; and the level of existing commitments to peacekeeping operations and security requirements at home.

Although, Ireland is refunded certain costs in respect of UN missions and, not in respect of other missions, this is not a consideration in evaluating whether Ireland will participate in a particular mission. I am satisfied that the Defence Vote in 2008 and in future years will be sufficient to allow the Defence Forces to continue to participate in UN mandated peace support operations overseas, irrespective of whether or not these are "Blue Hat" operations.