Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to believe that all of us share a commitment to that process. Having said that, obviously Fianna Fáil will support the deployment of the Defence Forces for service in Syria. I know from the discussions I have had with military personnel - officers and serving soldiers - that they are looking forward to the challenge this deployment will present for them. As the Tánaiste and the Minister of State have said, our Defence Forces have distinguished themselves in many locations throughout the world. I am sure they will distinguish themselves in this context as well.

The role of the Defence Forces contingent will be to provide a mobile company as force headquarters reserve in UNDOF to cater for reinforcement, escort and other operations in UNDOF's area of responsibility. I agree with the Minister that it is important that UNDOF has at its disposal all necessary means and resources to carry out its mandate safely and securely. I understand that a 114-strong mechanised infantry unit is to be deployed and that our troops would not be acting as peacekeepers or peace enforcers but would act in an observer capacity.

However, in supporting the motion, I would like some reassurances from the Minister. As has been pointed out, the escalation of the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic has affected the UNDOF area of operations very significantly in recent months. The escalation of the conflict has resulted in other countries withdrawing from the UN mission and that is where we have particular concerns. On 6 June, the Austrian Government announced that it was withdrawing its 380-strong force from the Golan Heights because the area had become "far too dangerous." Croatian troops were also withdrawn last March because their government feared that troops would be targeted. Japan has also pulled its contingents out. We know Fiji agreed to contribute a contingent of 171 military personnel to the UN disengagement observer force to replace the Croatian and Japanese contingents.

Clearly, any involvement in a UN mission axiomatically involves a degree of risk but it is important that we are fully conscious of the situation out there. Last month, the Syrian civil war spilled over as forces opposed to President Assad overran the UN position at the border post near the abandoned town of Quneitra. They held it for several hours before Syrian Government troops retook it. During this time, several shells exploded inside a UN compound within the demilitarised zone and three mortars reportedly exploded inside Israeli-occupied territory. The international peacekeepers who maintained the truce received most of their supplies from that position from Israel. The gun battles forced the peacekeepers to seek shelter in a nearby base and the Philippine military said that one of its peacekeepers was wounded when a mortar or artillery shell struck the area. The UN diplomat said an Indian peacekeeper was also injured on that day. It would seem that during this time, the possibility of Israeli forces entering Syrian territory to secure their border was higher than at any time since 1974. It would appear that Israeli military action was prevented because the Assad forces regained control of the crossing.

The incidents last month followed from other disturbing events. On 21 March, UN peacekeepers from the Philippines were abducted for five days by militants in Syria. Four more were seized by the militants in May before being released on 12 May. The Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario has said the country's contingent could be withdrawn due to such incidents. In withdrawing his country's troops, the Austrian Chancellor said his country's soldiers were "not trained or deployed for a military operation." He also said that "Austrian soldiers face an uncontrollable and direct threat, which has increased to an unacceptable level" and that "freedom of movement in the area de factono longer exists." I am seeking some reassurance from the Minister. Is he confident that there is no "uncontrollable and direct threat" to our force? Is he satisfied that there will be freedom of movement for those we send on this particularly dangerous mission? Forty-four members have died since UNDOF was set up in 1974, some in accidents but until the Syrian conflict erupted, it has to be acknowledged that the ceasefire had proved itself of the most resilient in the Middle East. We have to realise that if the peacekeeping mission was to be weakened or disbanded completely, it would have a serious and negative effect on the area.

The UN Secretary General has expressed his deep concern "about the deteriorating security situation in the Syrian Arab Republic, its impact on the Syrian population and its potential implications for the stability of the region." He said the situation has affected the UNDOF area of operation significantly and that the ongoing military activities in the area of separation continues to have the potential to escalate tensions between Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic and to jeopardise the ceasefire between the two countries. He also said that "given the evolving security situation in the UNDOF area of operation, it is also necessary to consider further adjustments to the posture and operations of the mission, as well as additional mitigation measures." He said that these include, as a matter of priority, enhancing the self-defence capabilities of UNDOF, including increasing the force strength to about 1,250 and improving its self-defence equipment within the parameters set forth in the protocol to the disengagement agreement. He said that in addition, UNDOF continuously reviews and updates its contingency plans and that the support of the parties and the Security Council is critical as UNDOF continues to make these critical adjustments.

In conclusion, I wish all the personnel who will take on this mission well. Can the Minister tell the House if the self-defence capabilities of the group exist, as has been indicated by the UN Secretary General and can he address the other concerns people have about the safety of our troops in his response? Again, I compliment the Government on the integrated approach between foreign affairs and defence and wish all those who will participate in the mission well

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