Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We do not accede to every request. We have a strong reputation within the UN for a country that has Defence Forces with the level of experience, expertise and skill set to do difficult post-conflict and peacekeeping operations. We do that in partnership with a number of other countries that have a reputation for doing the same. Any decision to send Defence Forces personnel abroad is not taken lightly.

We have not been in the Golan Heights since 1958. The current United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, mission in Golan Heights has only had Irish involvement for little over a year. We were asked by the UN to fulfil a particular role in that UNDOF mission and we have done so. We did so in difficult circumstances and Irish people should be proud of that. We have avoided any tragedy, injury or loss of life in that mission. My job is to make recommendations to the House and Government in terms of where we prioritise resources in different parts of the world. I take the Deputy's point on the Congo and agree it is a part of Africa that has been abandoned in many ways to tragic effect. However, Ireland cannot solve every problem and we must prioritise where we send our troops. We evaluate in a detailed way before we do that.

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