Defence Force members and not civilians or "mercenaries" will be sent to Kosovo as part of Ireland's contribution to relieving the conflict there, according to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
"We propose some 30 members of the Defence Forces in the first instance, not private citizens," Mr Andrews told the Democratic Left leader, Mr Proinsias De Rossa, during Question Time.
Mr De Rossa had asked if members of the Defence Forces or Garda would be sent.
He presumed "there would be no question of sending private personnel or privately hired personnel".
He said the US apparently planned to hire mercenaries to go to Kosovo.
Mr Andrews replied: "I think we need the professional expertise of our Defence Forces who have performed honourably over many years in situations of this nature with huge courage."
The Government would look at possibly increasing the number from 30 to 50 in due course. "What we want is highly trained and highly alert individuals in the situation that will be given to them.
"We will have to ensure as far as possible the safety of these personnel in the context of our international obligations."