Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A number of questions arise from some of the Minister of State's answers. He mentioned the 2015 White Paper which provides that up to 850 members of the Defence Forces could serve overseas at a given time. According to his statement, however, there is an aggregate number of 1,639 personnel on overseas missions. I presume that is due to rotations and shorter journeys. This is not a criticism. We have debated previously the numbers serving in the Defence Forces. Is there a difficulty with ensuring we contribute close to the maximum number possible for UN missions? These missions are a laudable part of the role of our Defence Forces and many of the members I have met have a desire to go on them. That role should continue.

The Minister of State corrected the point I made regarding the 106 UNIFIL troops. It was great that we were in a position to fill the gap when the Finns pulled out of the mission. When the Poles take over the role previously carried out by the Finns in November, 106 Irish troops will no longer be required. In addition, 100 troops may be freed up if Operation Sophia is not continued. When one also takes into account the shortfall of 230 troops, these figures suggest that of the 850 members of the Defence Forces that we could have available for UN duties overseas, we will have 436 available. Is there a demand for other UN missions? I would like to get some idea of where Irish soldiers and Naval Service members may be sent. In that regard, Operation Pontus was very laudable.

Earlier this year, there was talk of the Ranger wing being sent to Mali. The Government indicated at the time that it was considering this possibility. This is not a blue hat mission but a training mission and one of those of which I have been very critical. Originally, seven members of the Defence Forces were sent to Mali. The figure then increased to ten members and now stands at 20. The Dáil has never given its assent to the Mali mission, despite the triple lock. A debate is required in the Dáil and the triple lock is supposed to apply when 12 members or more of the Defence Forces are sent on an overseas operation. That commitment was given during the debate on the Lisbon or Nice treaty when the Irish people changed their minds. Can we have a debate in the Dáil on the Mali mission, which is a dubious one, given that 20 personnel are serving on it, albeit in a training?