Dáil debates

Thursday, 8 October 2015

Other Questions

Defence Forces Deployment

10:25 am

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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9. To ask the Minister for Defence given the increase in violence and attacks in the Golan Heights area, if there are new measures or protocols in place to protect and safeguard Irish soldiers serving in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force mission. [34518/15]

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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We all know how turbulent, dangerous and unpredictable the Golan Heights are and collectively we share a deep and genuine concern for the Irish troops stationed in the area. The 48th Infantry Group has returned to Ireland safe and sound and has been replaced by the 50th Infantry Group. I would like to take the opportunity to welcome those troops home.

My question relates to any new measures or protocols in respect of the change in the circumstances on the ground. Are there any plans to reinforce the base's security area, equipment, support vehicles and weaponry given the changed circumstances in the Golan Heights?

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A contingent of the Permanent Defence Forces has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, on the Golan Heights since 2013. The current Irish contingent, the 50th Infantry Group, comprising 130 personnel, is based in UNDOF headquarters in Camp Ziouani. It operates in the role of a quick reaction force, which is on standby to assist with ongoing operations within the UNDOF area of responsibility. Eight other Defence Forces personnel are also deployed in UNDOF headquarters, including the Deputy Force Commander, Brigadier General Anthony Hanlon.

Following the significant events in August 2014 in the area of separation, there was a fundamental realignment of the UNDOF mission with a view to minimising unacceptable risks to peacekeepers, while continuing to implement the mission’s mandate where possible. Most UNDOF personnel, including the Irish contingent, are now deployed on the Israeli side of the area of separation. As such, they are not within the area of separation where significant fighting continues to take place.

The UNDOF mission has faced a challenging time, especially during the past year. The escalation of the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic has affected the mission’s area of operations. While the security situation in the UNDOF area of responsibility remains volatile and unpredictable, with ongoing fighting between different elements, I am advised that UNDOF has not detected any significant increase in violence or attacks on UN personnel or facilities.

Ongoing threat assessments are carried out in the mission area and personal equipment and force assets are continually reviewed to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfil their role. In this regard, following a recent review of the locations occupied by personnel of the Irish contingent, a Defence Forces engineering team was deployed early last month to undertake additional protective works. The contingent also undertakes regular drills and exercises to ensure that all personnel are ready to respond rapidly to any deterioration of the security situation.

The reality is that no peacekeeping mission is without danger. I am satisfied, however, that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all Defence Forces personnel serving in the UNDOF mission. The presence of the UNDOF mission remains an important element in ensuring stability on the Golan Heights and in the Middle East region.

10:35 am

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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The reason for the question was to send a message to the families of soldiers who are gone over there that, with the changed circumstances, as the Minister's reply states, there is beefed-up security in the area. Rockets are still landing in the Golan Heights and Israel has made several incursions into Syria since the last war began. Our troops are on the front line of the most brutal and violent conflict in the world. Has there been any decision on whether this will be the last contingent sent on this mission or will there be more sent after the 50th Infantry Group completes its tour?

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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First, I would ask other parties to reflect when they call for a reduction in defence spending on the situation in which many of our troops find themselves in parts of the world and their requirement for the equipment and resources they need to ensure their safety. When I am making decisions to increase defence spending, people try to twist that into some kind of hawkish attitude towards defence on my part. The reason we are doing it is to ensure I can reassure families that have loved ones in places such as the Golan Heights, southern Lebanon, Mali and the Mediterranean that we have the best equipment and resources available to keep them safe.

I also have a responsibility to ensure we are constantly in conversation with the United Nations at headquarters level in New York to ensure there is an ongoing assessment of the UNDOF mission because it is constantly changing. Deputy Crowe is right to raise it. The civil war that is taking place in Syria is not only tragic for Syrians but also poses dangers to peacekeepers, but we have reconfigured this mission. At present, we have an engineering team to ensure all the resources and preparations are in place to ensure our soldiers are safe there. Within reason they are, but we need to keep a very close eye on it because what is happening on the Golan Heights is still quite unpredictable.

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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I welcome the reply that the Minister is continuing to review the circumstances on the ground. Ultimately, it is all about the safety of the troops. I would have been critical of the idea of sending them over because I believed the circumstances on the ground had changed. I am glad the previous contingent has come back safe. I wish the ones who are over there the same safety and I hope they all return safely.

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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That reflects the view of us all. Every time I speak to troops before they leave and speak to their families, I am conscious of that. I wish to reassure families who have sons and daughters and husbands and wives serving in the Golan Heights that we continue to focus on ensuring we are managing risk in an acceptable way. This is a very important mission for the United Nations and it relies heavily on Ireland's participation in it, but I do not make any decisions lightly in terms of putting our troops in harm's way. They are contributing to the creation of a sense of stability in a very volatile region. They are safe and we are managing risk as best we can. That would be reflected in the troops who came back on the previous occasion. I do not expect that the mission will change significantly in terms of going back into the area of separation any time soon. That is obviously the long-term objective but for the moment, staying on the Israeli side of the line of separation is the most prudent and safest thing to do, and that is why we have made the changes we have.

Photo of Seán BarrettSeán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am afraid our time has expired. I would reiterate that it is important we get to start on time. Unfortunately, that was beyond our control.

Written Answers follow Adjournment.