Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government remains committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and that the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties, including in respect of participation in UN peacekeeping operations. The advancement of the women peace and security agenda in peacekeeping operations is an area in which Irish peacekeepers have taken a very proactive role.

In preparing contingents for overseas operations, significant training is provided on gender to all Defence Forces personnel. Moreover, a gender perspective is included in the planning and conduct of all overseas military operations, something that is particularly relevant in circumstances where gender based violence has occurred.

In May 2015, during a visit to Ireland, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, observed the value in some situations of being able to call on female peacekeepers having regard to the multifaceted nature of peacekeeping challenges. He requested that consideration be given to the contribution of women soldiers to UN operations and that Ireland might factor this into its approach to such operations. The recent White Paper on Defence highlights the importance of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in setting out the vital role that women can play in conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peace building, post-conflict reconstruction, reform and governance.

The White Paper also contains commitments to significantly increase participation of women in the Defence Forces. A number of projects have been identified to give effect to these commitments and work has recently commenced in my Department to this end.

At the recent UN Peacekeeping Ministerial held in London, which I attended, one of the main issues discussed was improving peacekeeping, including increasing the involvement of women at all levels in overseas missions. I contributed to the session on the participation of women in peace and security, outlining actions currently undertaken by Ireland in that area and confirming our commitment to increase the participation of women at senior decision-making and leadership levels in the Irish Defence Forces.

I am delighted to say that Ireland recently appointed the first female officer to the prestigious position of officer commanding a Defence Forces contingent on an overseas mission with the appointment of Lieutenant Colonel Mary Carroll to the position in UNDOF, where she is currently undertaking.

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