Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

Ireland has offered, through the UN standby arrangements system, UNSAS, to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of our standing Army, excluding reserves, and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable commitment we can make to overseas peacekeeping operations. Following the recent withdrawal of the Irish battalion from the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad, MINURCAT, Ireland is currently, as of 21 May 2010, contributing 167 Defence Forces personnel to 12 different missions throughout the world.

With regard to future deployments, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in regard to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. When considering any particular request, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution, consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy and the degree of risk involved are among the factors considered.

Apart from a recent European Union request to despatch members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces, EUTM Somalia, being carried out in Uganda, no other deployments are planned or envisaged at this time. Five Irish personnel took up duty with the mission at the end of April 2010. No requests have been received from the UN for deployment of personnel to other UN missions.

Following the recent withdrawal of the MINURCAT contingent, the Defence Forces are undertaking the essential and extensive maintenance of equipment. We have also begun the process of examining further options for Defence Forces overseas operations and this examination is ongoing. Participation in overseas operations over the years has given Defence Forces personnel the opportunity to develop skills and competencies through practice in operational situations. Ireland has built up a fine reputation in the field of international peacekeeping and a considerable volume of international goodwill has resulted. The Government is committed to the continued participation by the Defence Forces in international peacekeeping, in particular on UN blue hat operations.

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