THE ARMY needed an international mission, Fine Gael defence spokesman Jimmy Deenihan has claimed.

“How can the Defence Forces keep training personnel at a certain intensity with no mission?’’ he said. “That is surely not sustainable.’’

Minister for Defence Tony Killeen said he agreed that the posting of Irish troops overseas had contributed very positively to the State’s international credibility.

“We have a standing commitment to have 850 personnel overseas, and that would best be served by having a detachment at battalion level. At this point no mission has been mentioned in terms of an Irish involvement.’’

Mr Killeen said the Government would look at any proposal put to it by the UN.

“Our dealings with that body suggest it is likely to ask us to partake in missions. When and if that arises, we will consider the proposal on the basis of the considerations we have always taken, including the type of impact that the mission is likely to have.’’

Mr Deenihan said missions abroad, including those in Bosnia and Herzegovina, were important in terms of the State’s foreign policy and by making Ireland a player at the United Nations, affording a greater influence abroad.

He asked the Minister to confirm that he had made direct contact with the UN regarding the possibility of future missions.

Mr Killeen said Ireland was a member of the UN’s standby arrangement system and its deployment of 850 personnel was available for call-down, as the UN was aware.

“When I was having discussions with UN representatives with regard to the mission in Chad I made clear we would be available for future missions,’’ Mr Killeen added. “I have no doubt that proposals will be put to us in the not too distant future, at which point we will consider them.’’