O'Dea denies defence u-turn
11/06/2006 - 18:17:33Defence Minister Willie O’Dea tonight dismissed claims Irish peacekeeping troops were illegally serving in Kosovo as he embarked on a two day visit to the Balkan state.
Labour Party TD Joe Costello accused the Minister of rushing new legislation through the Dáil which would allow for a U-turn on rules governing what missions Irish soldiers can serve on.
As the law stands the army can only take part in operations set up by the United Nations, which would make our involvement in Kosovo unlawful.
New legislation is expected to close this loophole, and let Ireland take part in any action in which the UN is involved.
But the Minister insisted Ireland’s participation in overseas missions would still be governed by a triple lock of approval by the UN, European Union and Dáil.
He accused Mr Costello of making reprehensible and irresponsible claims.
“He is wrong. There is no U-turn. I have made no U-turn on the Defence Act and I strongly reject his assertion that there is,” the Minister said.
During the trip to Kosovo Mr O’Dea will hold talks with senior military officers fronting UN operations in the war-torn region and view a demonstration of military equipment before touring the area patrolled by Irish troops.
The Irish contingent of 213 personnel was first deployed to Kosovo in September 2003 with the 32nd Infantry Group, mostly drawn from the Western Brigade, complete its six-month tour of duty in Pristina in October.
Most Irish troops are deployed in the Multi-National Task Force – Central (MNTF-C) that patrols the central Pristina region – the scene of heavy ethnic rioting in March 2004.
The Minister went on to outline what the new legislation would contain. He said it would provide that Defence Forces personnel could travel abroad to train and include new wordings which more closely reflect the format of UN resolutions.
The laws will also provide for the participation by the Defence Forces in humanitarian operations in response to natural and man-made disasters such as the tsunami in South East Asia.
“Ireland’s basis for participation in missions undertaken by the EU is grounded in the legitimacy conveyed by the UN Security Council. This will not change. The Triple Lock of UN, Government and Dail approval will remain in place.
“The requirement for this amending legislation arises irrespective of our participation in the Rapid Response/Battlegroup concept.”
Mr O’Dea also accused the Labour TD, who moved to the brief just over three months ago, of showing inexperience of rules governing the Defence Forces.
“All Irish troops now serving overseas do so wholly and totally in accordance with the law. For Deputy Costello to insinuate otherwise is reprehensible and irresponsible.”
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