The recent reduction in the number of Defence Forces personnel deployed to EUTM Somalia from 11 to six was as a result of the drawdown of Defence Forces personnel associated with Ireland's having held the post of Mission Commander and also completion of the training phase of the mission, to which Ireland contributed three personnel. Given Ireland’s commitment to this mission to date, and in order to support a smooth transition between mission commanders, Government approval has been granted to retain the Defence Forces personnel in their current appointments until the end of their respective individual six-month tours of duty.

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