Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 45 together.

A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, on the Golan Heights since 2013. The next Irish contingent, the 54th infantry group, comprising 130 personnel, is due to be deployed in the coming weeks and will replace personnel of the 52nd infantry group. Irish personnel will be based in UNDOF headquarters in Camp Ziouani. The Irish contingent operates as a quick reaction force, which is on standby to assist with ongoing operations within the UNDOF area of responsibility. An additional seven Defence Forces personnel are deployed in UNDOF headquarters.

Since its temporary relocation from a number of positions in September 2014 and pending the time when it will return fully to the area of separation, UNDOF has continued to maintain a credible presence in the Golan Heights and use its best efforts to implement its mandate. In this context, UNDOF continues to engage with the parties on practical arrangements to allow the force to continue to maintain the ceasefire, monitor, verify and report on violations of the agreement on the disengagement of forces and exercise its crucial liaison functions with the parties in order to implement its mandate.

The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas and these missions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The continued participation in overseas operations, such as the UNDOF mission, is subject to Government decision on an annual basis. The presence of the UNDOF mission remains an important element in ensuring stability in the Golan Heights and Middle East. On 21 June 2016, the Government approved continued participation by the Defence Forces in UNDOF for a further 12 months.

I am satisfied that the work carried out by the Irish personnel serving with UNDOF represents an important contribution to this UN mission.

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