Kehoe to propose ‘rotation peacekeeping’

THE days of Irish troops spending decades on peacekeeping deployment in specific locations may end under a proposal being put forward by Defence Minister Paul Kehoe.

Mr Kehoe will propose a ‘rotation peacekeeping’ to his European counterparts in Brussels today, under which countries would replace each other on shorter shifts.

It would mean an end to Ireland’s decadeslong deployment in Lebanon.

Ireland is a key advocate for increased participation by EU member states in UN operations. Instead of individual states making UN commitments – which has meant Ireland deploying troops to the Lebanon for 40 years now – the EU joint approach would see different nationalities relieving each other on station. This initiative, spearheaded by Ireland, is co-sponsored by Sweden, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands.

In the case of on-the-ground personnel, deployment may be a number of years, while ‘higher-end capabilities’ – such as helicopters, rocket systems or fighter jets – may have a shorter rotation.

‘The plan is about putting more structure around sending troops to volatile spots which, if agreed, will see increased numbers deployed to peacekeeping missions,’ a spokesman for the Minister said.

There would be no impact on this country’s so-called ‘triple lock’ for deployment, which requires a Taoiseach’s decision, Cabinet approval and a vote in favour by the Dáil.

Mr Kehoe declared: ‘It addresses the challenges of international conflict, but it is only the start of a dialogue among EU partners.’

Ireland currently has more than 600 personnel serving in 13 different missions in the same number of countries, with one sea mission in the Mediterranean.

The Irish proposal would make UN operations more attractive to states as they would have a definite amount of time to serve.