The first stage of Liberia's recovery programme from a dreadful civil war in which 250,000 people died and 1.3 million were uprooted is now well under way. A coalition government is beginning to exercise its authority following the peace agreement last summer. It is assisted by the 15,000 strong United Nations Mission to Liberia (UNMIL), now substantially deployed and which includes 470 troops from Ireland.
The time has come to extend the government's effective rule beyond the capital Monrovia, to recommence disarming more than 30,000 teenage militia soldiers, set up policing structures and make a convincing case for international aid at the donor conference in New York early next month.
The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, arrived in Monrovia last night on a three-day visit to the Irish troops.
They are the largest Western contingent in UNMIL, consisting of over 400 troops in a motorised infantry battalion and a smaller contingent from the Army's Ranger wing. Most of the other troops are from African countries, and China and Sweden have recently announced plans to join the force.
The Irish contingent has a demanding and responsible role - to prepare the way for establishing a UN presence in the jungle areas outside the capital and operate as the force commander's rapid reaction reserve. It is authorised to use force as necessary.
The contingent is now established and has already been involved in a daring rescue of 37 civilians captured by one of the factions and held in a shipping container.
Mr Smith pointed out that this mission is "not without risk" when Ireland's participation was announced, adding that "the situation on the ground is highly volatile".
This remains the case. It was vividly illustrated on the very day Irish troops arrived last month, when the initial effort to disarm teenage militias collapsed after some of them ran amok over a misunderstanding about compensation payments. Disarming them began again yesterday, amid indications that they have lost whatever credibility and power they enjoyed during the civil war. But putting them out of action is a dangerous as well as a necessary task in coming weeks.
Mr Smith's visit is a timely and appropriate affirmation of Ireland's involvement with the UN role in Liberia. It will be the Army's major international commitment for the next few years.
If Liberia can be successfully stabilised it will have a positive effect on neighbouring Sierra Leone and the Ivory Coast, where similar conflicts have ravaged their societies in recent years. Irish people should be proud of this difficult and demanding mission.