Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the Deputies for their comments and contributions, both earlier this morning at the select committee and here in the Dáil this afternoon. I strongly believe that it is very valuable to highlight through these reports the important overseas UN peacekeeping role the Defence Forces have undertaken over the decades. Last year, 2018, was a very significant year for United Nations peacekeeping. The UN celebrated the 70th anniversary of UN peacekeeping operations, and Ireland marked its own significant milestone as a long-standing contributor to UN peacekeeping over a period of 60 years. Since our first contribution in 1958, not a day has passed when a member of our Defence Forces, Óglaigh na hÉireann, was not deployed in peacekeeping operations in support of the United Nations. As Ireland seeks election to the UN Security Council, we can be rightly proud of this long and honourable record of service in the cause of peace and security.

I visited the Irish troops in Lebanon in March 2018. This trip coincided with the official UN commemorations in Naqoura to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of UNIFIL and of Ireland's participation in the mission. It was a very proud moment for me to be there representing Ireland as Major General Mick Beary of the Irish Defence Forces led the commemorations as United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, force commander and head of mission at the time. Separately, in June 2018, I hosted an official State ceremony in Dublin Castle, which was attended by President Michael D. Higgins and An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, to mark the 60th anniversary of Irish involvement in UN peacekeeping operations. The Government was also very proud to mark this significant anniversary internationally when we hosted a ceremony in UN headquarters in New York in July 2018. This ceremony allowed us to recognise the contribution of Irish men and women from the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána and the wider public service to international peacekeeping. In addition, in December 2018, the 60th anniversary of Ireland's deployment with UNTSO was marked with a commemorative ceremony held in UNTSO headquarters in Jerusalem.

Deputy Jack Chambers, at this morning's meeting of the select committee, spoke about a lack of ammunition. Ammunition for all aspects of the Defence Forces, including training and for missions, is available. I have not been told that there is a lack of ammunition. If the Deputy has proof of this perhaps he could provide me with it , and I will gladly take it and follow up on it.

Deputy Ó Snodaigh referred to another issue. The UN has asked regional organisations, such as the African Union, the EU, NATO and others to mount operations on its behalf. All these missions are approved and supported by the United Nations. In Mali, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina we are responding positively to the UN request. I regularly meet with Undersecretary Jean-Pierre Lacroix to discuss UN missions. It is very important that we meet. I met him in New York earlier this year, and intend to meet him later this year again.

Deputy Brendan Ryan asked what Ireland's position is on the Golan Heights following the recent statement made by the President of the United States of America. Ireland very much regrets the decision of the United States to recognise Israeli sovereignty over the territory captured in the 1967 war. This is a breach of a central principle of international law and the rule of law, which will have unfortunate repercussions well beyond the immediate context of the Golan Heights. The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade made it very clear in a statement of 25 March of this year that Ireland, along with the rest of the international community, continues to regard the Golan Heights as Syrian territory, occupied by Israel, and there is no reason to expect that this decision by the United States should affect the position of the Irish troops in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, mission area around the Golan Heights. The supposed annexation by Israel, which the United States is now recognising, took place in 1981. There has been no change in support within the United Nations for UNDOF.

There are currently 670 members of the Irish Defence Forces serving in nine different missions around the world. Ireland has a battalion comprising 460 in UNIFIL, as well as a company in the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights and other significant postings in the Middle East, Africa and the Balkans. For these Irish men and women, service with the UN is rightly regarded as noble and important.

I thank the Deputies both at the select committee this morning and this afternoon in the Dáil for their recognition of the work of Irish Defence Forces personnel. They can be assured that I will pass that on to the Chief of Staff.

See this speech in context