Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to report to the committee on Defence Forces' participation in United Nations' missions in 2013. The report for 2013 was laid before Dáil Éireann on 11 March 2014 and the following motion has been placed on the Order Paper:

That Dáil Éireann approves the report by the Minister for Defence regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 2013, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 11 March 2014, in accordance with section 13 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006.

In commending the motion I will shortly outline some of the key aspects of Ireland’s involvement with the United Nations in the past couple of years. A central tenet of Irish foreign policy is support for the multilateral system of collective security represented by the United Nations. In this regard, Ireland has worked to uphold the primary role of the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security. This commitment has found expression in Ireland’s long-standing tradition of participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Ireland has participated continuously in UN peacekeeping operations since 1958, a service which comprises more than 63,000 individual tours of duty, an extraordinary number if we compare the size of the Defence Forces with those of other states. Participation in overseas peacekeeping missions is a key element of Ireland’s foreign policy and has been an important dimension in meeting Ireland’s international obligations as a member of the United Nations and the European Union. Irish foreign policy is directed at supporting co-operative arrangements for collective security through the development of international organisations, especially the United Nations. This has included supporting effective international action in areas such as disarmament, peacekeeping, development and human rights. This approach continues to define Irish priorities within the UN system. Notwithstanding our current economic difficulties, Ireland continues to willingly play a full role in contributing to the security of Europe and the world, providing professional peacekeepers for a range of missions throughout the world.

During 2013 the Defence Forces continued to make a major contribution to international peacekeeping through their participation in UN-led and UN-authorised missions. Defence Forces personnel deployed to two additional UN-led operations in 2013, namely, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, on the Golan Heights in Syria and the United Nations Mine Action Service, UNMAS, in South Sudan. The Defence Forces also deployed personnel to the European Union Training Mission in Mali known as EUTM Mali.

Our main mission in the year under review was the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL. The UNIFIL mission continues to represent Ireland’s largest overseas deployment. For most of 2013, a total of 361 Defence Forces personnel were serving with UNIFIL. Ireland commanded the joint Irish-Finnish battalion until 26 November 2013 when Finland assumed command and deployed an additional company. There were two rotations of Irish personnel during 2013. The joint battalion is based in sector west of UNIFIL’s area of operations in an area designated by the force commander, in the vicinity of At Tiri and with two posts on the "Blue Line" which separates Lebanon and Israel. Last November I had the honour of visiting the 42nd infantry group currently serving with UNIFIL when I attended the transfer-of-authority ceremony to mark the hand-over of command of the joint Irish-Finnish battalion to Finland. Reflecting the high regard in which Irish peacekeepers are held, Brigadier General Patrick Phelan of the Defence Forces who was appointed deputy force commander of UNIFIL in April 2012 had his appointment extended for a further year until the end of this month at the request of the United Nations.

Partnership with other like-minded states has become an increasing element of our overseas peacekeeping operations. The participation of both Finland and Ireland in the UNIFIL mission is but one example that demonstrates our joint contribution to international peace and security. In the absence of partners such as Finland, the range and nature of overseas operations which Ireland could undertake in support of international peace and security would be notably curtailed. Such joint deployments further support interoperability and build experience. They also significantly contribute to the range and nature of operations we can undertake in support of the United Nations and further deepen the excellent bilateral relationship between partnering countries. The United Nations has stated UNIFIL plays a vital role in stabilising southern Lebanon, in particular the area adjacent to Israel where Irish troops are deployed.

Ireland is contributing approximately 404 Defence Forces personnel to 14 missions throughout the world. The year under review saw a new Irish deployment overseas to UNDOF on the Golan Heights in Syria. UNDOF is assisted by military observers from the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation’s observer group for the Golan Heights which includes six Irish officers. Members of the 44th infantry group are deploying to the UNDOF mission and will replace the 43rd infantry group which has successfully completed its tour of duty. I take the opportunity to thank the personnel returning home from Syria for the contribution they have made to the peace and security of the region. I also wish each and every member of the 44th infantry group a safe and successful mission.

At the request of the United Nations and following Government approval, four members of the Permanent Defence Force deployed for service with the United Nations Mine Action Service, UNMAS, in South Sudan in August 2013. Their role is to provide a specialist training team on conventional munitions disposal, landmines and specialist search awareness for South Sudan police personnel. In addition, following Government approval, eight members of the Permanent Defence Force were deployed for service with the EU Training Mission in Mali, EUTM Mali, as part of a joint training contingent with the United Kingdom armed forces. Irish personnel were deployed to the mission on 23 March 2013 and rotated in September 2013. Training by EUTM Mali has been making good progress and the mission’s mandate has been extended until May 2016. EUTM Mali is recognised as an essential partner in the reconstruction of the Malian state and the main instrument for the reconstruction of its armed forces.

The deployment of some 404 personnel to overseas missions is a very significant contribution in the context of the reduced resources available for defence. It reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security. It is important for Ireland to continue to build on our long tradition of service to the founding principles of the United Nations by making practical commitments of personnel to peace support operations. I assure the committee that, notwithstanding the economic challenges we are facing, the Government is committed to ensuring the Defence Forces will continue to contribute in a meaningful way to overseas operations. However, our contributions will be practical and sustainable within the resources available for defence. Relative to our size and available resources and capabilities, both financial and military, Ireland is, proportionately, a very large peacekeeping contributor within the international community. In 2013 it was the fourth largest EU contributor to United Nations missions.

The Government and I place high importance on the valuable work being done by members of the Defence Forces throughout the world. I fully recognise the importance of operational experience in peace support operations for the ongoing development of the Defence Forces. I had the honour to see at first hand the dedication and professionalism of our military personnel serving overseas when I visited the Irish battalion serving with UNIFIL on two occasions last year. I look forward to a return visit to our troops in Lebanon in the near future, possibly during the second half of the year.

A key facet of Ireland’s approach to international peace support operations is the engagement of Defence Forces personnel, at all levels, with the local communities they are called on to serve. Irish troops serving overseas display not alone their professional commitment in fulfilling the United Nations mandate, but also support and encourage local communities through humanitarian and community projects. In Lebanon previous Irish battalions have completed a number of projects during the years with financial help from Irish Aid. I am delighted to see that recent battalions have continued this excellent tradition. Overseas service has become a core activity of the Defence Forces. Ireland's record of service in UN-authorised peace support operations is second to none. The Defence Forces have made and continue to make a significant contribution to such operations throughout the world.

I acknowledge the significant demands placed on personnel who serve overseas and their families. Without their loyal and continuing support, our strong tradition of service overseas, under the auspices of the United Nations, would not be possible.

Their committed and dedicated service in overseas missions reflects well, not alone on the Defence Forces, but on the nation as a whole and contributes to the excellent reputation which Ireland holds among peacekeepers throughout the world.

Some of my EU counterparts have remarked with some amazement that when they visit their troops abroad on UN peacekeeping missions, they always meet some members of our Defence Forces. One asked me before Christmas how many tens of thousands of troops we have. When I told him the objective strength of our Defence Forces is 9,500 he thought I was misleading him for security reasons.