Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The current instability in the Sahel region must be addressed as it represents a significant threat to regional and African stability and impacts on the security of the European Union. Ireland has a long and well respected history of participating in peacekeeping missions. We believe in, and take seriously, our commitment to making forces available for United Nations mandated missions. MINUSMA represents a mission where a gap has opened up that Ireland can fill. The members of the Army Ranger Wing have the necessary skill sets and are trained and equipped to operate in hostile environments such as Mali. The role envisaged for the Defence Forces team is within its competence and capability. Valuable experience will be gained by Army Ranger Wing personnel when deployed on this mission, which will further enhance their effectiveness in carrying out their national security role.

The MINUSMA mission is not without its challenges. Significant force protection and risk mitigation measures are in place to optimise the secure environment for deployed personnel. While the Army Ranger Wing team will engage daily with individuals in the local population as part of its intelligence and information gathering remit it will benefit from the substantial security effort that is in place to protect the full company. The timing is right for Ireland to contribute to this mission. Ireland deploying troops to MINUSMA, alongside over 50 other countries already contributing military forces to this crucial UN mission, is a positive gesture and one which I wholeheartedly support. I commend the motion to the House.

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