David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The committee will now consider the following motion, which was referred to it by Dáil Éireann on 5 November 2013:

That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the report by the Minister for Defence regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 2012, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 14th October, 2013, in accordance with Section 13 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, in accordance with Standing Order 82A(4)( j ) and paragraph (8) of the Orders of Reference of Select Committees, which, not later than 21st November, 2013, shall send a message to the Dáil in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 87, and Standing Order 86(2) shall accordingly apply.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Having been Minister for Justice and Equality for the past hour or so, I now take on the guise of Minister for Defence. I am pleased to report to members of the committee on the Irish Defence Forces' participation in United Nations missions in 2012. The report for 2012 was laid before Dáil Éireann on 16 October 2013. The following motion was placed on the Order Paper for Dáil Éireann:

That the proposal that Dáil Éireann approves the report by the Minister for Defence regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 2012, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 14th October, 2013, in accordance with Section 13 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, be referred to the Select Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, in accordance with Standing Order 82A(4)( j ) and paragraph (8) of the Orders of Reference of Select Committees, which, not later than 21st November, 2013, shall send a message to the Dáil in the manner prescribed in Standing Order 87, and Standing Order 86(2) shall accordingly apply.

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 continually in UN peacekeeping operations since 1958, a service that has comprised more than 62,000 individual tours of duty.

Participation in overseas peacekeeping missions is a key element of Ireland's foreign policy and has been an important dimension in meeting our international obligations as a member of both 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 to a range of missions throughout the world.

During 2012, the Defence Forces continued to make a major contribution to international peacekeeping through their participation in UN-led and UN-authorised missions. Personnel were deployed on 11 different missions throughout the world, in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Ireland's only new deployment in 2012 was to the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria, UNSMIS, when six members of the Permanent Defence Force were deployed in May as unarmed military observers to Syria. However, these personnel were withdrawn from Syria in August 2012 when the mission's mandate came to an end.

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. Since mid-2011, a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force, comprising some 435 personnel, has been deployed to the UNIFIL mission. The deployment to UNIFIL is Ireland's largest deployment overseas since the withdrawal of the Irish contingent from the MINURCAT mission in Chad in May 2010.

Last year saw the establishment of a joint Irish-Finnish battalion in UNIFIL when a contingent of 170 personnel of the Finnish armed forces began serving alongside Irish soldiers with effect from 1 June 2012. Both Ireland and Finland previously served together in the Lebanon mission in 2006-2007 and more recently in the UN operation in Chad. In addition to the Irish contribution of some 332 personnel to the joint Irish-Finnish battalion, a further 16 personnel were deployed to the force headquarters in Naquora and eight personnel at the UNIFIL Sector West headquarters in Shama. Reflecting the high regard in which Irish peacekeepers are held, Brigadier General Patrick Phelan took up the appointment of deputy force commander of UNIFIL in April 2012, a post which he continues to hold.

In accordance with agreements entered into with our Finnish counterparts, Ireland has held the role of command of the joint Irish-Finnish battalion from the outset. Ireland will hand the lead over to Finland on 26 November 2013 and Ireland's contribution to the Finnish-Irish battalion will reduce to approximately 180 personnel. Members of the 42nd infantry group are currently deploying into the mission with the new joint Finnish-Irish battalion. I wish each and every member of the group a safe and successful mission. They will replace members of the 108th infantry battalion who have completed their tour of duty. I thank the personnel returning home from Lebanon for the contribution they have made to the peace and security of the region.

Partnership with other like-minded states has become an increasing element of our overseas peacekeeping operations. 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 significantly curtailed. Such joint deployments further support interoperability, build experience and further deepen the excellent bilateral relationship between both countries. The United Nations has stated that UNIFIL plays a vital role in stabilising southern Lebanon, and in particular the area adjacent to Israel, where Irish troops are deployed.

Ireland is currently contributing approximately 560 Defence Forces personnel to 14 separate missions throughout the world. The most recent deployment overseas was in response to a United Nations request and resulted in the deployment of the 43rd infantry group to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, on the Golan Heights in Syria. This deployment was successfully completed on 28 September 2013. The 43rd infantry group is tasked primarily to serve as the force mobile reserve within the UNDOF area of responsibility. A total of 118 Defence Forces personnel are currently serving with UNDOF, including four personnel who were deployed to UNDOF earlier this year for service at the mission headquarters.

UNDOF is assisted by the military observers from Observer Group Golan of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, UNTSO, which group currently includes seven Irish officers. Also, 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 to South Sudan police personnel.

The current contribution of some 560 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 that the Defence Forces 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 our available resources and capabilities, both financial and military, Ireland is proportionately a very large peacekeeping contributor within the international community.

The Government accords great importance to 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 in March of this year. I look forward my return visit to our troops in Lebanon next week.

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 not only display their professional commitment in fulfilling the UN mandate but also support and encourage local communities through humanitarian and community projects.

Irish troops serving overseas not only display 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 over the years with financial help from Irish Aid. I am delighted to see that recent battalions have continued this excellent tradition.

In conclusion, I want to acknowledge the significant demands placed on personnel who serve overseas and on 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 only on the Defence Forces but on the nation as a whole and contributes to the excellent reputation that Ireland holds among peacekeepers throughout the world.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I would like to join with the Minister in commending our forces abroad on the magnificent work they do with the United Nations. The Minister may die of shock when he hears this, but I wish to commend him on his mention of the approximately 560 Defence Forces personnel who are currently contributing to UN peace-support operations abroad. The term "peace support operations" - to which the Minister referred more than once - is much better than "battlegroups", which I am always giving out about.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to thank the members of our Defence Forces who are currently serving abroad with the United Nations. They represent our country well and their work portrays us in a positive light.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Indeed.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I would like to be associated with those remarks. I had an opportunity to visit the Lebanon last year and was highly impressed by the work of our troops there. Does the Minister wish to respond?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputies for their comments. Members of the select committee may be interested to know that next Monday I will travel to visit our troops in southern Lebanon. I will also be visiting some other countries in the region, including Jordan. At the moment, we anticipate going to Jordan to look at the impact of the refugee crisis as a result of the Syrian conflict. The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council is assisting with funding from Europe to countries that are taking care of Syrian refugees. It is expected that the position of the refugees will be discussed at the Council meeting to be held on 5 and 6 December. I am hoping to get an update both in Lebanon and Jordan on the impact of the crisis. An estimated 750,000 documented refugees from Syria are currently in the Lebanon. The number could possibly be higher because some may not be documented. Approximately 550,000 Syrian refugees are currently in Jordan.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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With winter approaching, it is a shocking situation. I wish to thank the Minister and his officials for attending the select committee meeting today.