The Government today approved an extended role for Irish troops on a UN mission in Africa, to help deal with 'a serious security crisis which could be likely'.
The troops are presently deployed in Liberia but under the terms of the new arrangement, which still has to be approved by the Dáil, they would be deployable to neighbouring Sierra Leone as part of a UN mission.
They would provide security for the Special Court in the capital, Freetown, and evacuate officials in the event of a security crisis.
The Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea, says this could develop when verdicts are handed down next month.
The Irish troops are also to be empowered to apprehend and detain former Liberian President Charles Taylor if he returns to Liberia.
Mr Taylor has been indicted by the Freetown Court but is currently in exile in Nigeria.
Cabinet also today approved the continued deployment of Irish peacekeeping troops in Liberia, and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for a further 12 months.
There are 427 troops in Liberia at the moment, and 56 in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
