Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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6. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel presently engaged in overseas operations; and the net cost to the Exchequer of each of these operations. [35791/13]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As of 30 June 2013, Ireland is contributing approximately 449 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement together with details of the latest available costings which are in respect of 2012.

The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, with 361 personnel, including the Deputy Force Commander; the EU Training Mission, EUTM, Somalia with 11 personnel, including the Mission Commander; the EU Training Mission in Mali, EUTM Mali, with eight personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with seven personnel; the NATO-led international security presence, KFOR, in Kosovo with 12 personnel; and the International Security Assistance Force, ISAF, in Afghanistan with seven personnel. Ireland also contributes 24 observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and 19 other personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters. The current contribution of some 449 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.

The costs in respect of Defence Forces participation in UN, EU and NATO-led peace support operations, which include allowances, together with travel and subsistence and transportation costs, for troops and freight, for 2012, amount to €15,755,554. The net cost, allowing for UN reimbursements amounts to €5,185,014.

The UN reimburses some personnel and contingent owned equipment costs in respect of contributions of personnel to UN-led operations. Rates of reimbursement, fixed in accordance with UN categories of equipment and personnel, are agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the UN for each mission. The only mission for which Ireland is currently entitled to reimbursement of some troop and equipment costs, is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon UNIFIL.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House

Ireland is not entitled to any reimbursement in respect of Defence Forces participation in EU-led or NATO-led missions as all troop contributors to such missions are responsible for their own costs.

Costs in respect of Defence Forces participation in UN, EU and NATO led peace support operations in 2012

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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There is a huge amount of information in the reply and it is hard to keep up with it. I believe that Irish people feel that we should have a neutral foreign policy and whatever about our Army being deployed on peacekeeping missions, the idea of participating in battle groups and the subsequent cost to the State of those ventures is something in which people are interested. Can the Minister of State explain if the reason the taxpayer has to pay out €5 million in terms of the costs of participation in missions is because they are not United Nations missions? Are they areas that come under EU battle groups which would be more covered under those costs? Are all UN operations refunded? Is there a change in that position in terms of the troops the Minister of State voted earlier today to send as observers to Syria? Is that a departure in terms of finances?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I think the figure in respect of reimbursement for this year is 75%. I will come back to the Deputy with the exact percentage of the return from the UN.

It is important for Ireland to be involved in these peacekeeping measures. We spoke about the importance of Irish missions before the Deputy came into House and the opportunities they present for members of our Defence Forces to participate in missions be it in UNIFIL or other missions. I am not sure if the Deputy was here for the debate this morning on the motion on the overseas mission which covers members of the Defence Forces going to the Golan Heights on peacekeeping duties as part of that mission. That motion was passed. It is a new mission for Ireland to be involved in.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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There problem is that there is a creeping involvement of Irish Defence Forces operations in more NATO-led missions or under the guise of the EU rather than traditional UN peacekeeping measures and I wonder what the breakdown is in terms of costs. Is there a departure with the Syrian mission in terms of the amount of moneys being refunded to the State? Is it the position in this case that all of the money traditionally is refunded by the United Nations? I note that last year there was an allocation of more than €10 million in regard to the participation of Irish Defence Forces personnel in the EU battle groups. Was that money spent or where is that reflected in this information? While people feel proud about the role that our troops would play in peacekeeping missions there is a very fine line and there has been an elimination of our neutrality and more involvement with NATO forces.

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
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Deputy Wallace had indicated that he wanted to ask a question but only a few seconds remain.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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A few seconds.

Peter Mathews (Dublin South, Independent)
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Yes, because Deputy Daly has used the time.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I will give way to the Deputy.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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On the last day of term and the Acting Chairman is strict as ever. You are a hard man. I thank the Minister for doing that. I want to make the same point that has been made. I would be a little concerned that we are going to get involved in areas where we could be perceived to be taking sides. I did not like the idea of us sending people to Mali. I am not keen on sending people to Syria. At this stage, the idea that we still have some people in Afghanistan is a bit frightening.

I think history will show that the time spent by the western forces in Afghanistan was probably the most futile and damaging use of resources by anyone. It is unfortunate that any of our troops were involved in it. We have agreed to leave them there until October of this year. I would like to know whether Ireland still intends to take its troops out in October.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I will respond to Deputy Clare Daly's question first. The Minister for Defence estimates that the additional cost of deploying troops to the Golan Heights in 2013 will be approximately €2 million and the additional cost for a full year will be approximately €5 million. Approximately three quarters of this will be recoverable from the UN. The Minister for Defence is satisfied that the costs of the mission will be absorbed for the balance of the current year. The costs for the 2014 mission will be addressed as part of the Estimates process.

I was also asked about the safety of our troops. Of course there are dangers involved in any mission. No one enters the Army as a cadet or a recruit in the expectation that no danger will be involved in any mission. Of course there are dangers. The Chief of Staff advised the Minister for Defence of the risks involved here. The Government decided, on the basis of that advice, that the Defence Forces will participate in this mission in Syria and the Golan Heights. Of course a decision had to be made by the Government, the UN and the Dáil. A motion to that effect was passed in this House this morning.