The UN Liberian peacekeeping mission, which will be supported by 450 Irish troops if the Dáil approves their departure, is not "without risk", the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, has said.
A motion clearing the way for involvement by the Defence Forces will be debated by the Dáil tomorrow, following the Opposition's refusal last week to approve their deployment without debate.
Speaking to an Ogra Fianna Fáil meeting in the University of Limerick last night, the Minister said: "Let there be no mistake about it, this mission is not without risk. The situation on the ground is highly volatile.
"The very significant presence of child soldiers, including girls, the proliferation of weapons and the continued operation of armed groups, all pose a security challenge to the mission," he said.
The Irish motorised infantry battalion is scheduled to be in place in the west African country by the middle of December, as part of UNMIL (the United Nations Mission in Liberia).
"It must be stressed that our troops are not sent overseas on a whim. As Minister for Defence, it is my responsibility to ensure that the safety of our personnel is at the top of the agenda," he said.
Acknowledging that he could not give "absolute guarantees", the Minister said the Department of Defence and senior Defence Force officers had "analysed the risks involved".
"Why place our people at risk by undertaking what appears to be such a difficult mission? My answer to that is simple: it is our duty as members of the international community to respond to the call of peace. "Knowing our peacekeeping record, the UN specifically requested Ireland to participate in UNMIL. Although 20 countries will be participating, Ireland is the only Western country making a significant contribution.
"This fact alone illustrates the high regard the UN has for us. They know our track record and we should be honoured that the unique qualities of the Irish peacekeeper continues to be recognised," Mr Smith said.
The international community could not ignore the crisis in Liberia, he said.
"250,000 people dead since the late 1980s. More than 1.3 million people uprooted from their homes.
"Widespread incidents of torture and sexual violence. One in every ten children forced to take up arms. And this in a country already suffering from the effects of chronic poverty and lack of development," he said.
"We are punching well above our weight on behalf of peace, a fact of which we should all be very proud," he said.
