| ID | 149281 |
| Title Proper | Europe’s return to UN peacekeeping? Opportunities, challenges and ways ahead – Ireland |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Murphy, Ray |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This paper argues that Ireland has been a consistent contributor to peacekeeping since 1958 and examines how the nature of Irish participation has evolved. The maintenance of an effective UN forms a key objective of Irish foreign policy within which peacekeeping and a policy of military neutrality have come to play a central role. In 1993, Ireland revised the legal basis for participation. This brought about a fundamental change in policy, after which participation in peacekeeping not specifically of a police nature was permitted. Ireland displays evidence of both self-interest and altruism in relation to peacekeeping. Unlike many other European countries, it did not ‘withdraw’ from engagement during the 1990s. Despite greater clarity around decision-making processes in recent years, it is still difficult to discern a clear Irish policy strategy. Challenges identified for the future include the changing nature of UN peacekeeping, budget limitations and downsizing of the Defence Forces, legal obstacles to participation in non-UN approved missions, risk assessment, national caveats and a lack of clear doctrine. |
| `In' analytical Note | International Peacekeeping Vol. 23, No.5; Nov 2016: p.721-740 |
| Journal Source | International Peacekeeping Vol: 23 No 5 |
| Key Words | Ireland ; UN Peacekeeping ; Challenges ; Opportunities ; Ways Ahead ; Europe’s Return |