4. The Congo 1960

Ireland proved eager to participate in the United Nations Operation in the Congo (ONUC) bound for the Congo in 1960. However, Irish neutrality and the Irish Defence Act 1954 could possibly prevent the deployment of armed Irish soldiers from the country. The Government, Dáil, and military debated this issue and settled on the development of a policy to guide decisions in military deployments while maintaining political neutrality—Ireland could participate in an international peacekeeping operation if: (1) Ireland receives a formal request from the UN; (2) the Irish Government approves the deployment; and (3) the Irish Dáil approves the deployment. Ireland codified the policy within the 1960 Defense (Supplemental) Act. This chapter follows the debates and discussion of the Irish Government and Dáil on this matter and includes the detailed interaction between Ireland and the UN as well as other countries.