I listened with interest to the Taoiseach's reply and I am sorry to say that I do not agree with a lot of what he said. Will the Taoiseach not agree that as our personnel are involved in this peacekeeping exercise in Namibia we have a perfect right to object to the United Nations if we consider what they are doing is not sufficient or well thought out? Looking from the outside in, it appears to me that the plan was illthought out, badly prepared and tardily put in place. The UN cannot complain of lack of experience in South-West Africa because they have been involved in Namibia for ten or 12 years. They have had peacekeeping experience all over the world. I say with great regret that this was the worst performance the UN put on in a role like this. We should protest about it and I say that with great regret.

I am sorry the Deputy says that so strongly. I will refrain from saying it is easy to be critical from a distance because we can all see from our television sets and from reading reports that it is a very difficult and confused situation.

It is very difficult but the UN are not without experience in such matters.

I do not mind taking whatever action is necessary to protect the safety of our personnel. That is a solemn obligation on us.

And to observe the transition to independence.

On the other hand, I would like to try to be as supportive as possible of the Secretary-General, his officers and the force. It is a question of trying to be constructive. Initial reports certainly seemed to indicate that the operation was not very successfully organised, but whether that was anybody's fault or was endemic in the turbulent situation that developed is another matter.

They were not there.

They had years of notice.