66 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Defence if a request has been received from the United Nations for Ireland to contribute military personnel to a peace-keeping force in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4794/02]

83 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if, in regard to his comments after reviewing troops at McKee Barracks on 4 January 2002, he will outline the plans for the participation of Irish troops in a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan; the discussions he has had with the United Nations regarding this proposal; if he has satisfied himself that an appropriate UN mandate is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4672/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 83 together.

The question of Defence Forces participation in overseas missions is kept under regular review.

Requests from the UN for Irish participation in new missions are considered on a case by case basis within the context of the United Nations Stand-by Arrangement System, UNSAS. As I have indicated to the House previously, in October 1998 Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations in relation to UNSAS. Ireland has committed up to 850 military personnel for UN service at any one time under this system. There would be no obligation, however, to participate in any particular mission and Dáil approval would be required for the despatch of a contingent to a specific operation. The decision to participate in UNSAS is a tangible expression of Ireland's continuing commitment to involvement in peacekeeping operations.

68 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that all appropriate logistical support is in place in respect of members of the Defence Forces serving in Eritrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4656/02]

On 31 July 2000, the United Nations Security Council, under Resolution 1312, established the United Nations mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea, UNMEE, consisting of up to 100 military observers and the necessary civilian support staff in anticipation of a peacekeeping operation subject to future authorisation. Under Resolution 1320 of 15 September 2000, the Security Council authorised the deployment within UNMEE of up to 4,200 troops until 15 March 2001. On the latter date, the Security Council, by its Resolution 1344, extended UNMEE's mandate at the previously authorised levels of troops and military observers until 15 September 2001. Resolution 1369 of 14 September 2001 extended the mandate for a further six months until 15 March 2002.

On 15 June 2001, in the context of the withdrawal of the Irish contingent from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, the UN formally invited Ireland to contribute a guard and administration company to serve with UNMEE at the Force Headquarters in Asmara, Eritrea, with effect from 11 December 2001, for a minimum period of 12 months.

On 18 July 2001, the Government authorised, subject to the approval of the Dáil, the despatch of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force for service with UNMEE for a period of one year from December 2001. On 26 October 2001, Dáil Éireann approved the despatch of the contingent comprising 209 Defence Forces personnel. An advance party was deployed to the mission area on 26 November 2001. The main body of the contingent deployed on 5 December 2001. The contingent became operational on 11 December 2001.

In response to separate requests from the UN, 12 members of the Defence Forces were deployed to the mission to take up staff appointments in UNMEE Force HQ in Asmara, Eritrea.

The role of the Irish contingent, which is based in Asmara, Eritrea, comprises the following: provision of signals technical support to UNMEE HQ; provision of perimeter defence and internal security for UNMEE HQ; provision of security for convoys and escort of key personnel-VIPs; provision of transport services for headquarters staff; provision of tactical mobile command post; manning of military staff message centre; provision of military police for the Irish component, and liaison with force military police unit; and provision of military staff and general administrative support to UNMEE.