Irish soldiers who pay for sex workers in war-torn countries or who engage in inappropriate sexual conduct will face severe disciplinary sanctions, according to report published in Dublin yesterday.

Offending Irish soldiers will be disciplined under new rules aimed at combating exploitation and violence against women in foreign conflict zones.

Irish Lieutenant Colonel Ollie Barbour told the Irish press yesterday that Irish soldiers, who are known worldwide for their peacekeeping skills, were subject to a visiting visa green card system that governs conduct towards women in conflict zones.

Barbour was representing the Irish Defense Forces at a meeting of the Irish Joint Consortium on Gender-Based Violence which met in Dublin yesterday.

The meeting was scheduled in advance of the publication next year of the Irish Government's National Action Plan to implement a United Nations resolution on Women, Peace and Security.

The joint consortium was addressed by Mary Robinson, the former Irish President and the former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.