The Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, T.D. praised the Irish Defence Forces for their precipitation in peace keeping missions over the past fifty years at an anniversary ceremony which took place at McKee Barracks, Dublin last week.
In his speech the Taoiseach spoke about Ireland's first involvement with the United Nations in a military peace keeping role, which took place fifty years ago in Lebanon. A total of fifty Irish officers served over four separate deployments as part of the armed military observer mission known as United Nations Observer Group.
He talked about Ireland's next involvement which took place in 1960 as a response to UN Secretary General's request for assistance to aid peace keeping in the Congo, the Irish Government agreed to send troops as part of the UN forces there.
"Our participation in the UN mission to Congo has become etched in our Nation's consciousness. Tragically, 26 Irish soldiers lost their lives in the cause of peace in the Congo operation. These deaths were a sharp wake up call for Ireland, as the Nation and the International Community more widely began to fully appreciate the cost that had to be borne in the cause of peace", said the Taoiseach.
Mr Cowen, spoke about Ireland becoming a member of the UN in 1955, "Ireland has been a strong defender of the primary role of the UN Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security. Ireland's obligation under the United Nations Charter to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security is reflected in our continuous involvement in peacekeeping operations, mandated or authorised by the United Nations Security Council. The ongoing conflicts and tensions in the Middle East, Africa, Central America and elsewhere have ensured a continuing demand for United Nations peace keepers."
The Taoiseach also made reference to Ireland's neutrality "We have, as a country that cherishes its tradition of military neutrality, been able to deploy Irish peace keepers to these trouble spots under our triple lock mechanism of Government decision, Dáil approval and UN authorisation. Our adherence to the triple lock not only demonstrates our commitment to our military neutrality and the United Nations; it is a recognition that global security can only be achieved through collective action by the international community working together."
The Taoiseach took the opportunity to speak about the European Union and Ireland's responsibility within this union, "Within the European Union, the evolution of the European Security and Defence Policy has placed greater responsibilities on individual Member States, both collectively and individually, to contribute personnel in support of UN Mandated crisis management operations.
"The development of these capabilities is particularly important as we seek together to support the Union in responding to the challenges of an increasingly globalised world and in supporting the United Nations."
The Taoiseach explained how the governments investment in the armed forces over the past ten years has enabled Ireland to undertake increasingly complex and difficult missions.
Finally the Taoiseach talked about John Fitzgerald Kennedy's and his praise for the Irish defence forces, "On this day, 26th June, 1963, President Kennedy commenced his historic visit to Ireland. In his eloquent address to the Dáil two days later, Kennedy paid a glowing tribute to the work of Irish peace keepers. He said : "From Cork to the Congo, from Galway to the Gaza Strip, from this legislative assembly to the United Nations, Ireland is sending its most talented men to do the world's most important work, the work of peace."
"Forty-five years on from John F. Kennedy uttering these famous words, and half a century on from our Defence Forces' first involvement in UN peacekeeping, our country remains resolutely committed to that important work, the work of peace.
"Today, we should all be proud of the many talented Irish men and women down through years who have served this country and the cause of peace with great distinction."
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