The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, has said that he would invite Green Party TD Mr Dan Boyle (Cork South-Central) to view peacekeeping work in Bosnia-Herzegovina, where there was a NATO-led operation under a UN mandate with Irish participation. This was the best he could do to show the deputy how peace had been restored with NATO involvement.

Mr Boyle, whose party endorses military neutrality, had asked about the EU Rapid Reaction Force and questioned whether the Minister was happy that an EU operation under the control of NATO was compatible with the concept of Irish neutrality.

Mr Smith said that the question of involvement with NATO was a "matter for decision by the EU at senior political level".

He emphasised that national sovereignty was a "fundamental underlying principle" to participation in Europe's security and defence policy. Asked if Ireland would have to bear a share of military costs even if the State did not participate in operations, the Minister said the Government's stance had been consistent: that "each country should meet its own costs". There was ongoing debate at EU level, but he was "not aware" of a final decision being made.

UN inquiry into death of Irish soldier

A UN board of inquiry into the death of an Irish soldier in East Timor will take place once all the initial investigations are complete, the Dáil was told.

Pte Peadar Ó Flaithearta died in an accidental shooting on April 15th while on service with the former UN transitional administration mission. The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, said that three investigations had been undertaken, one of which was complete. Military police from New Zealand, the battalion the Irish contingent served with, had finished their investigation. Mr Smith told Labour's defence spokesman, Mr Jack Wall, that the Irish military police investigation and one by the Irish Defence Forces' court of inquiry were ongoing.