THE GOVERNMENT has committed 850 Defence Force personnel to the United Nations military force designed to respond rapidly to crisis situations.
Ireland currently has a similar sized battalion serving with UNIFIL in south Lebanon. Yesterday's announcement does not mean a commitment of additional troops to UN service, but puts the commitment of the present number on a permanent basis.
The Tanaiste, Mr Spring, told the UN Secretary General, Dr Boutros Boutros Ghali, of the decision at a meeting in New York yesterday. He said the move reflected Ireland's belief "in the need for an increased emphasis within the UN system on preventive diplomacy" and a more informed, better planned and more rapid response to crises.
The UN Stand by Arrangements System (UNSAS) has been in operation since 1993, and is designed to enable the UN to respond speedily to developing international crises. Until now, according to a statement from Mr Spring, Ireland was unable to make a commitment to the force because of the ongoing review of the role of the Defence Forces. "The completion of this review has cleared the way for this decision to make Irish personnel available to the UNSAS."
The 850 troops will comprise an infantry battalion, a transport company, military observers and up to two officers to serve at the headquarters of the rapidly deployable unit in New York.