Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Defence if any contact has been received from the United Nations or other bodies regarding proposed Irish participation in peace support missions; if he had indicated to the UN and other bodies that Ireland is interested in participation in peace support missions in the immediate future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23667/10]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has offered, through the UN standby arrangements system, UNSAS, to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of our standing Army, excluding reserves, and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable commitment we can make to overseas peacekeeping operations. Following the recent withdrawal of the Irish battalion from the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad, MINURCAT, Ireland is currently, as of 21 May 2010, contributing 167 Defence Forces personnel to 12 different missions throughout the world.

With regard to future deployments, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in regard to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. When considering any particular request, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution, consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy and the degree of risk involved are among the factors considered.

Apart from a recent European Union request to despatch members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces, EUTM Somalia, being carried out in Uganda, no other deployments are planned or envisaged at this time. Five Irish personnel took up duty with the mission at the end of April 2010. No requests have been received from the UN for deployment of personnel to other UN missions.

Following the recent withdrawal of the MINURCAT contingent, the Defence Forces are undertaking the essential and extensive maintenance of equipment. We have also begun the process of examining further options for Defence Forces overseas operations and this examination is ongoing. Participation in overseas operations over the years has given Defence Forces personnel the opportunity to develop skills and competencies through practice in operational situations. Ireland has built up a fine reputation in the field of international peacekeeping and a considerable volume of international goodwill has resulted. The Government is committed to the continued participation by the Defence Forces in international peacekeeping, in particular on UN blue hat operations.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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In January we had 758 military personnel serving overseas, but the Minister tells us that number is now reduced to 167. Our international credibility with the United Nations and with our fellow European Union member states is at stake. Our involvement in UN and EUFOR missions gives us a special footprint and a certain amount of authority as an international player. This international reputation will be damaged unless we have more involvement abroad, and that involvement should be at battalion level rather than sending out small numbers of personnel to various places.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Does the Deputy have a question?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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How can the Defence Forces keep training personnel at a certain intensity with no mission? That is surely not sustainable. The Minister made a commitment in the House that he would increase the number of those serving in Kosovo, for example. Can he confirm whether he intends to increase those numbers further?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I agree that the posting of Irish troops overseas has contributed very positively to our international credibility. We have a standing commitment to have 850 personnel overseas, and that would best be served by having a detachment at battalion level, as the Deputy proposes. At this point no mission has been mentioned in terms of an Irish involvement. As I said in my reply, we require a period to deal with issues that have arisen in regard to equipment, as well as issues such as leave and so on that arise after a long and intensive mission. We will look at any proposal put to us by the United Nations. Our dealings with that body suggest it is likely to ask us to partake in missions. When and if that arises, we will consider the proposal on the basis of the considerations we have always taken, including the type of impact the mission is likely to have.

In regard to his question on Kosovo, I assume the Deputy meant to refer to Bosnia and Herzegovina where we are, upon request, retaining our troops until the end of the year. We were pleased to be in a position to accede to that request.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister agree that missions abroad, including that in Bosnia and Herzegovina, are important in terms of our foreign policy and, by making us players at the United Nations, afford us greater influence abroad? Will the Minister confirm that he has made direct contact with the UN regarding the possibility of future missions? Has he confirmed to the UN that we have a contingent available should it be required in the immediate future?

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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We are members of the UN standby arrangement system and our deployment of 850 personnel is available for call-down, as the UN is aware. When I was having discussions with UN representatives with regard to the mission in Chad, I made clear we would be available for future missions. I have no doubt that proposals will be put to us in the not too distant future at which point we will consider them according to the criteria I outlined in my reply.