Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As Members are aware, the resolution before the House is part of the triple lock system, under which overseas deployment of the Defence Forces depends on a UN mandate, a Government decision and a resolution of the House. I strongly support the approval of the resolution before the House. I have been working closely with the Minister, Deputy Shatter, on this request. I fully support the proposed deployment of a contingent from the Defence Force to UNDOF. It will enable Ireland to make a major contribution to peacekeeping in a region of the world which is experiencing significant unrest and in which we have considerable experience over many years. In deploying to UNDOF at the Golan Heights area between Syria and Israel, we continue a proud tradition of answering the UN's call for service with UN peacekeeping missions and we consolidate our global reputation in this field. We also extend significantly the contribution Ireland is making to the search for peace and stability in Syria and the surrounding regions. For many years, UNDOF has managed successfully the tensions between Syria and Israel in this sensitive area and made a notable contribution to regional stability. The addition of a contingent of members of the Defence Force will assist UNDOF at a time of particular challenge and help it to take forward and reinforce its vital work.

The reports given to the UN Security Council this week on the situation in Syria and its impact in the region are deeply disturbing. The region is struggling to deal with the influx of an alarming number of refugees - estimated at 6,000 a day - and the extension of violence beyond Syria's borders. The Government has been actively responding to the conflict. My Department has overseen the provision of humanitarian assistance of almost €10 million through the UN agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Irish non-governmental organisations like Concern and GOAL. Following the spillover of the conflict beyond Syria’s borders, the UN’s priority is to ensure its peacekeeping missions can deal with the consequences of the Syrian conflict and operate safely in a changing and increasingly challenging environment.

UNDOF, which has operated in the Golan Heights area since 1974, is now particularly exposed to the confrontation between the Syrian Government and opposition forces, which has spilled over into the Golan Heights area. Regrettably, the escalation of the conflict has had a direct impact on the operation of this peacekeeping mission. In response to this, the UN has sought to strengthen UNDOF's capacity and has undertaken a number of measures to strengthen the security and safety of the personnel serving with UNDOF. The security and safety of UN personnel was an issue of particular concern for the Government in considering this request. I have discussed this matter with the Minister, Deputy Shatter. We have raised our concerns with the UN, which has been forthright and flexible in responding to them. Through our diplomatic mission in New York, we will continue our dialogue on these important issues with a view to ensuring everything possible will be done to ensure the security of our personnel and the success of their mission.

The UN's objectives in making this request to Ireland are to increase the resources of the mission and to strengthen confidence in UNDOF. When I discussed the request with the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, he emphasised the importance of having a highly regarded peacekeeping country at UNDOF to ensure the UN has a credible presence in this area. This is why the UN looked to Ireland. Mr. Ban’s confidence in our peacekeepers is shared by a number of countries that have expressed their support for this deployment. They have indicated they will increase their support for the UN missions in the area if Ireland provides the mobile force reserve for UNDOF. Their confidence in Ireland is a result of our long and distinguished history of peacekeeping and our willingness to take on challenging peacekeeping missions. Peacekeeping is an integral part of our foreign policy. It underpins Ireland's strong commitment to multilateralism and the UN.

This is an important opportunity for Ireland to contribute to stability in a region where the Defence Forces have supported the UN for just over 55 years and where we are already contributing to three UN peacekeeping missions - UNDOF, UNTSO and UNIFIL. It is also an important opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to the United Nations which, like all multilateral organisations, is only as strong and effective as its members enable it to be. I hope that with the support of this House and the approval of this resolution, Ireland will again be able to demonstrate that it can and does deliver on its commitment to the UN. I extend my good wishes to those members of the Defence Forces who will deploy on this mission. I thank them for their service to our country, the United Nations and the cause of peace.

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