The United Nations was relying more and more on organisations like the European Union for "peace" operations and it was necessary to "reflect on the implications" of that, the Department of Foreign Affairs has said. Deaglán de Bréadún, Foreign Affairs Correspondent, reports.
However, there were no plans to remove the "triple lock" which applied to participation in such operations, which required UN authorisation, Government agreement and Dáil approval, a spokesman added. The statement came after remarks by the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, who said in Brussels on Monday that the Government should consider amending legislation to permit the Defence Forces to participate in EU-led operations not specifically authorised by the UN.
The Foreign Affairs spokesman said yesterday: "It is necessary to reflect on the implications of the increased reliance of the UN on organisations such as the EU. However, the Government has no intention of removing the triple-lock set out in the Seville Declarations, namely, authorisation of the operation by the Security Council or the General Assembly, the agreement of the Government and the approval of the Dáil, in accordance with Irish law."
Labour's Foreign Affairs spokesman, Mr Michael D. Higgins, called on the Taoiseach to clarify the matter urgently: "I want the Taoiseach to clarify the confusion that has been created by the statements of the Minister for Defence which would appear to have no basis in domestic, constitutional or international law."
But Mr Gay Mitchell of Fine Gael welcomed the Minister's comments: "Mr Smith is saying maybe it is time to review the Defence Acts. I am not saying 'maybe', I am saying 'for certain' . The present situation is absurd."
The Green Party TD, Mr John Gormley said the Minister had made a "U-turn". He said Mr Smith had told the Dáil last week that no such legislative changes were planned, "when a mere four days later he announces in Brussels precisely the opposite".
Mr Roger Cole of the Peace and Neutrality Alliance (PANA) said the Government promised that Irish troops would not take part in overseas operations without a UN mandate, but this was already "under threat" from the Minister for Defence while his Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs appeared unconcerned. "The Government has already allowed Shannon Airport to be used in the Iraq war, without a UN mandate," he said.