The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, is to visit Irish soldiers serving with the NATO-led Kfor mission in Kosovo on November 4th.
At about the same time the Government is expected to move the motion in the Dail proposing the Republic's entry into the Partnership for Peace (PfP) military alliance of small European countries which are allied to NATO but not full members of the Western alliance.
The Irish transport unit, based outside Pristina in Kosovo, is bringing humanitarian and military supplies from the port of Thessalonica in Greece to Kosovo. There is considerable pressure on the unit to build up supplies before the onset of winter.
Under the terms of the PfP, the Defence Forces will be able to train and take part in military exercises with other NATO and PfP armies.
In order to play a full role in missions such as Kfor, the Defence Forces are engaged in a major re-equipment programme.
Yesterday the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, announced he had authorised negotiations between his Department and the Swiss armaments manufacturer, Mowag Motorwagenfabrik, for the supply of up to 40 armoured personnel carriers.
At present the Army has only two APCs, which are 20 years old.