The safety of Irish troops in Lebanon would be the "main issue" for the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defence as they considered possible Irish involvement in the new United Nations peacekeeping force, a spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
The spokesman confirmed that an Irish representative had attended a meeting of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York on Monday to discuss the proposed UN force, which is to be established under Security Council Resolution 1701.
He said a note of the meeting was now being considered by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, and the Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea. At present, the "main issue for the Ministers will be the safety of Irish troops".
Meanwhile, Labour Party defence spokesman Joe Costello TD has asked the Government to clarify whether it was intending to provide troops for the peacekeeping force "as there had been conflicting messages coming from different Ministers".
"I do not believe that we should turn our back on a request for support from either the Lebanese government or the United Nations. However, an early decision is now required by the Government on the scale of any Irish involvement. This is essential to allow the Defence Forces to select and prepare personnel for what will undoubtedly be a very dangerous mission. In addition, the sanction of the Dáil will be required and the House should be recalled to give its approval," Mr Costello said.
The Green Party urged the Government to be extremely cautious about sending troops. Defence spokesman John Gormley TD said: "The Green Party has supported every Dáil resolution to send Irish troops on peacekeeping and peace-making missions, but this particular case requires detailed scrutiny. Forty-seven Irish Unifil troops have already lost their lives in Lebanon in far less volatile circumstances."
He added: "Both Minister Dermot Ahern and Minister Willie O'Dea need to state immediately what their plans are and if and when they intend to recall the Dáil to debate this very important matter."