John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 12: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will outline the details of the 106 Battalion's mission with UNIFIL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24581/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The main overseas mission in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL. The second rotation of Irish personnel serving with the mission since Irish troops returned to Lebanon in May 2011 was completed this week with the deployment of personnel of the 106th Irish Infantry Battalion to UNIFIL. The 106th Infantry Battalion, comprising some 332 personnel, will form part of a joint Irish-Finnish battalion in UNIFIL with effect from June 2012, when a contingent of 170 personnel of the Finnish defence forces will integrate with the Irish battalion. The joint Irish-Finnish battalion will be based in sector west of UNIFIL's area of operations, currently centred on the major towns of Tibnin and Bint Jubayl, with two posts on the Blue Line which separates Lebanon and Israel. The battalion is tasked primarily with patrolling, reconnaissance and occupying static posts while operating in close co-ordination and co-operation with the Lebanese armed forces in sector west.

Early last month, Brigadier General Patrick Phelan was selected by the United Nations as Deputy Force Commander of UNIFIL from April 2012. He assumed his appointment on 28 April 2012. I know the House will join me in congratulating Brigadier General Phelan and wishing him and the personnel of the 106th Infantry Battalion safe and successful tours of duty in an area that, at the moment, is reasonably quiet.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I join the Minister in wishing Brigadier General Phelan every success. It is a testament to the fine tradition of the Irish Defence Forces in UNIFIL that he has attained that position. Our thoughts and prayers are with the 332 soldiers who have headed out there and their families.

In light of our earlier discussion about the escalating situation in Syria, has any thought gone into the possibility of associated instability in Lebanon? Will that influence any future decisions about the deployment of UNIFIL troops generally in the Lebanese area?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The mandate for UNIFIL remains unchanged in the context of the particular issues that gave rise to it. This is a very volatile region of the world. I do not think anyone can predict with certainty how matters may develop in the coming months, never mind the coming years. Currently, there some refugees from Syria in Lebanon, and there are some reports of disturbances close to the Syria-Lebanon border, but so far, fortunately, the events in Syria have not spilled over into Lebanon to any dramatic degree. The hope is that this will not occur. The politics of Lebanon, including the connections between, for example, Hizbollah and the Syrian regime and the divisions that exist, unfortunately, along sectarian lines within the Lebanese Government mean that this is a particularly complicated area.

I had the privilege of meeting a number of members of the Lebanese Government when I visited our troops in October last. I spoke to the President and the Prime Minister as well as other members of the Government, all of whom come from different communities and political backgrounds, and they were very appreciative of the work done by our troops there. Our engagement with UNIFIL is seen as a positive contribution to the area. Our troops continue to engage with the local community in a supportive way, including by providing funding and local supports for community matters. It is my hope that the troops who have now gone out there will have a safe mission. I had the privilege of seeing them off at McKee Barracks, and I hope to have the opportunity to visit in early autumn. At that stage I will have another opportunity to meet my counterparts in Lebanon, the Minister of National Defence and the Minister of Justice. The hope is that the area remains quiet and the events that are occurring so close to it do not give rise to any difficulties.