Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)
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I welcome Minister of State, Deputy Paul Kehoe.

Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)
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I have enormous respect and admiration for the Defence Forces. My late uncle, Captain Terry Cullen, served with distinction in a long career. I have memories of an Army uniform since my childhood and this has influenced my continuing attitude towards the Defence Forces which have achieved a reputation worldwide for peacekeeping. It is in that context that Ireland has been sending Army personnel to Lebanon, along the critical border between Israel and Lebanon. It has not been easy for the Army. During the years it has been caught between the various factions that operate in south Lebanon. The South Lebanese Army, a proxy army for the Israeli army, has engaged with Army personnel. Ireland has lost personnel in that area and there is still ongoing controversy surrounding the fatal wounding of one soldier. In more recent times, in the context of this motion, serious concern has been expressed about putting the Defence Forces in harm's way. Following the recent military engagements involving the capture of Fijian forces and personnel of the Philippine army by al-Qaeda and other factions in that part of Lebanon, it emerges that the Army had to rely on the Israeli defence forces, IDF to extricate its personnel from what could potentially have been a very serious situation. This raises the question of whether Defence Forces personnel should go back into the area.

A question also arises about the armaments being used by the Defence Forces. I subscribe to the view - I am sure the Minister of State will have an opinion on this issue - that Ireland should not arm the Army to the level being suggested in order to enable it to engage with disparate forces which are attempting to stoke up trouble and mayhem in the area. If Ireland was to provide the high velocity armaments being suggested, the Defence Forces would be left open to the possibility of having even more casualties. The Defence Forces are in place exclusively as a peacekeeping force under a UN mandate; they are not there as a peace enforcer. While I fully subscribe to the view that Ireland should supply the Army with the most up-to-date equipment in terms of clothing, personnel carriers and armaments, it should stop short of providing the Army with the armaments being suggested as they would put our troops in harm's way.

I am also interested in knowing the Minister of State's view on the ongoing commitment the Government has made through the United Nations to continue supplying Army personnel in the area, particularly given what is going on with Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, ISIS, and with the Syrian civil war having spilled over into Lebanon, and whether he believes there is a role for Irish troops in the future. It is no longer as simple or straightforward as it was when Ireland first sent peacekeeping forces to Lebanon when the mandate was clearer. It has now been muddied considerably. I am concerned that Ireland will be drawn into a conflict not of its own making and that Army personnel would be endangered. This was not the original intention when Irish troops were there primarily as a peacekeeping force.

I ask the Minister of State - perhaps he will not wish to comment on this issue - what is the Government's attitude to the continuing advance of ISIS. Does he believe it is leading to even more instability in the region? Ireland is involved, albeit on the fringes. Given the way things are going and the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of the Syrian civil war and because Lebanon has always tended to always as a result of whatever is going on in Syria which for a long time dominated Lebanese politics, has or will the Government take a position on the issue or is a decision on it being left to greater powers? I am not suggesting Ireland should be drawn into it in any way; I am only thinking in terms of the safety of Army personnel.

I welcome back the Army battalion that arrived home last night to a very warm welcome from families and friends. It was in contrast with what I read about the return of the Philippine battalion, following its particular difficulties. There was a parade and the battalion was enthusiastically embraced by the population of the Philippines. Does the Minister of State think the decision by the Philippine Government not to send further troops to the area will have any influence on the Government's decision in that regard.

John Whelan (Labour)
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I welcome the Minister of State to address this important issue and look forward to hearing from him on the measures the Government and the Department are taking to ensure optimum measures and every effort is made to ensure the safety and well-being of the Irish UN peacekeeping mission on the Golan Heights. I acknowledge the Minister of State's own personal interest in the matter. From speaking to members of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, I know they are grateful to him for the interest he has taken at all times in their issues and concerns and attending their conferences. I wish to acknowledge this. This is an issue that is particularly poignant for me as my father, Paddy Whelan, served with the UN peacekeeping mission in the Congo in 1960, one of the first missions to be embarked on by Irish peacekeepers.

For some, it proved to be a tragic tour of duty. Those to whom I refer made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country and in the interests of peacekeeping. On the Sunday before last I had the privilege of attending a tenth anniversary memorial service organised by Irish United Nations Veterans Association, IUNVA, Post 27 in my home town of Portlaoise. The IUNVA is a very important organisation and I urge the Minister of State to ensure that the Minister for Defence and the Government assist and support it in its efforts. The IUNVA plays a vital role in maintaining links between Army comrades and colleagues and in providing support to them, in many ways, as they readjust to civilian life.

As Senator Mooney stated, we witnessed the joy of families as they welcomed their loved ones home from their tour of duty in Syria at Dublin Airport last night. It is always a great relief for families when soldiers return home safely. It is important to keep in mind the families that are left at home and offer any supports, guidance or counselling they or their returning loved ones require. Irish military personnel are being exposed to some barbaric deeds that are too horrific to countenance or even contemplate in the ravaged and war-torn part of the world in which they are obliged to serve. I read about some of the situations with which they have been confronted and I am of the view that no person should be obliged to deal with what I have seen described. Anyone would have difficulty trying to cope with our personnel have witnessed. The soldiers in question do not just need military support or equipment, they also require post-trauma and psychological counselling and access to medical services and assistance at all times. It cannot be easy to return to one's family and home having witnessed harrowing scenes while away on duty.

The Irish peacekeepers in the Golan Heights find themselves in a most invidious situation because they are surrounded by warring factions on virtually all sides and can be under threat or in danger at any time. Our soldiers have a proud reputation worldwide as a result of their service in the Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon, Kosovo, Eritrea and so many other far-flung lands. We should be grateful for that reputation and for the courage and commitment members of the Defence Forces bring with them when they wear the blue beret. I commend the Minister of State on his efforts in respect of this matter. I also acknowledge the efforts of the Minister, Deputy Coveney, in seeking assurances with regard to parameters and conditions within which Irish peacekeepers are operating. I reiterate that the support they receive should not stop when they return home. It is not just on the battlefield or when operating in dangerous terrain that they need support, they and their families require continuing support from us, the State and the Department of Defence at all times.

Feargal Quinn (Independent)
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I welcome the Minister of State. I also welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. There has been little discussion with regard to Irish troops serving in the Golan Heights. This matter is particularly important at present, particularly in light of what is happening on the border between Turkey and Syria. The situation in the region gives rise to great concern and I am of the view, therefore, that we must give consideration to it.

I listened with interest to what Senator Whelan had to say. I recall visiting Baldonnel with my future wife in 1960 or 1961 in order to watch the first Irish troops departing for Africa. I remember the sense of pride among people at the time about the fact that those troops were being deployed abroad. For many years we had seen British troops being sent to various locations across the globe but they, of course, did so as imperialists. However, as Senators Whelan and Mooney reminded us, the Irish troops to whom I refer were being deployed to Africa as peacemakers.

There are some viewpoints which are worthy of consideration. A former Irish Army officer, Tom Clonan, has previously described Irish troops stationed on the Golan Heights as human shields. As was the case in respect of other peacekeeping missions, they are stationed in the middle of an area between Israel and Syria. It appears they are in more danger from the various Syrian factions than they are from the Israeli defence forces. If some major incident involving these Irish troops occurs, we in this House will find ourselves asking what should we have done and whether we have plans to take action. I am aware of a number of moves which have taken place in the area to which I refer. Are we sure we know what we intend to do if anything involving our troops should occur? I am not seeking to comment on this matter but if the feeling I have expressed is shared among members of the Irish Army, then it is a matter of some concern.

Senator Mooney referred to the UN contingent from the Philippines which has withdrawn from the mission to the Golan Heights. It is interesting that the President of the Philippines has stated "Our troops cannot be deployed to help in a situation where their mission is impossible or unclear" and "As commander in chief and leader of this country, I don’t want to deploy you to handle a ‘mission impossible'". Is the Minister of State of the view that deploying Irish troops is a mission impossible or is it a mission the objectives of which are unclear? Does he disagree with the President of the Philippines and is he in a position to state that the Irish troops in the Golan Heights have a clear mandate and mission, with the proper security guarantees in place? In light of the fact that the US has been making statements to the effect that this particular conflict in the Middle East could last many years, can the Minister of State provide a mid-term or long-term outlook with regard to Irish troops serving with the UN force in the region? Should we expect that our troops will be obliged to commit to serving for many years to come? Are there plans regarding what might happen if some disaster or other occurred?

Organisations such as the United Nations are doing their best in the context of their operations in the Middle East. Countries such as Jordan must be commended for the role they are playing in terms of helping to alleviate some of the effects of the current crisis. I refer, in particular, to the efforts of these countries to take in refugees. Jordan has a long history of welcoming in refugees from the many conflicts - that which marked the foundation of the State of Israel, the 1967 war or those which arose more recently - that have occurred in the Middle East. I very much welcome funding allocated by Ireland towards the efforts of the United Nations, the World Health Organization, the Red Cross, the International Refugee Committee and other organisations in order that they might help to properly address the crisis in the Middle East. Will the Minister of State elaborate on the position of the Irish citizens who are working for various organisations carrying out operations in the region or who are representing the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade there? It would be useful if he could provide an overall indication of the position, if that is possible. If an Irish citizen is captured in the region, upon whom do we rely for assistance? Should we rely on the United States, the UK or others to rescue him or her? Should we pay a ransom? Should we send in the Army Ranger Wing or are we helpless to assist? I am sure the Minister of State would not want to reveal any operational details but I am interested in obtaining a general sense of what might happen in a situation such as that which I describe.

This is a useful debate. We should discuss this matter more often, particularly as I am not sure whether we have plans with regard to what should be done if an incident occurs. I would welcome any comments the Minister of State may wish to make but I understand that he will not be in a position to reveal anything of an operational nature. No one is ever going to state that we would be happy to pay a ransom because that would only encourage those carrying out abductions. However, I would like to believe that this matter has been thought through and that there are plans in place to deal with any incidents which might occur in the future.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the opportunity to address the Seanad on this issue. If Members on all sides have one thing in common, it is respect for the Irish Defence Forces.

Since 1974 the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, has successfully supervised the implementation of the disengagement agreement, maintaining an area of separation between the Israeli and Syrian forces which is over 75 km long. UNDOF has been a successful mission in supporting the efforts of the international community both in the Golan Heights region of Syria and in the in the broader Middle East region.

Since September 2013, an Irish infantry group comprising 130 personnel has been deployed to the UNDOF mission and acts as a force reserve company. Its role includes the provision of a quick reaction force which is on standby to assist with ongoing operations within the UNDOF area of responsibility.

The escalation of the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic has affected the UNDOF area of operations significantly in recent months. The armed forces of the Syrian Arab Republic have deployed and carried out military activities and security operations in the UNDOF area of operations. These activities are in violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement. Also, numerous clashes have taken place between Syrian security forces and armed members of the opposition in the area of separation.

Since 27 August, and in response to the hostilities, the Irish force reserve company has dealt with several incidents as requested by the Force Commander of UNDOF. On 29 August and in a follow-up operation, the force reserve company assisted in the safe extraction of 58 members of the Philippine battalion. Also, on 30 August Irish soldiers extracted 35 Filipino troops from a position surrounded by rebels. The 45 Fijian peacekeepers who were detained by armed elements in late August were released unharmed on 11 September.

Given the evolving security situation, the mission has continued to reconfigure its operations with a view to ensuring the safety of personnel while continuing to implement the mission's mandate. There has been a fundamental realignment of the UNDOF mission in the past fortnight, reflecting the situation on the ground. The headquarters of UNDOF, including the Irish contingent, has been relocated to Camp Ziouani on the Israeli side of the area of separation.

Although Ireland remains committed to the mission, the Minister for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, recently requested that the UN fundamentally review the capacity of the mission to fulfil its mandate in light of the ongoing civil war in Syria. He personally discussed the review with the under-secretary general in the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The UN Security Council was briefed on the mission in detail on 17 September by the UN Secretary General. On 19 September, the Presidency of the UN Security Council issued a statement reaffirming the Council's unconditional support for the UNDOF mission. The Minister for Defence and I support the Security Council's call to Israel and Syria to remain committed to the terms of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and to scrupulously observe the ceasefire and the separation of forces. The Minister for Defence and I join with the Security Council in condemning recent hostile acts against UN peacekeepers in UNDOF's area of operation. We call on all parties to allow UNDOF to operate freely and ensure full security of its personnel. There can never be any justification for attacks on or the detention of UN peacekeepers.

While the Minister for Defence agrees with the President of the Security Council that the goal must be for the peacekeepers to return to their positions in UNDOF's area of operations as soon as possible, the Minister is of the view that it is important at this time to restructure the mission, relocating most of the UNDOF force on the Israeli side of the area of separation in order to minimise the unacceptable risks to peacekeepers. The Minister for Defence and I welcome the fact that the UN Secretary General will report back to the Security Council around mid-October on the steps required to maintain UNDOF's capacity to discharge its mandate.

I would like to commend the recent efforts of the Irish 44th Infantry Group in its role as UNDOF's quick reaction force in discharging its duties effectively. The Government, the Minister for Defence and I place high importance on the valuable work being done by the Defence Forces in the challenging operating conditions they face in the region and in other missions throughout the world.

Given the strong and unconditional endorsement of the mission by the UN Security Council, including the capabilities provided by Ireland, last month the Minister for Defence recommended to the Government that the Irish Defence Forces continue to participate in the mission. The Irish contribution to UNDOF is an important element of the force, which plays a vital role in ensuring stability in the Golan Heights and in the region.

While we were awaiting a response from the United Nations, the deployment of the 46th Infantry Group to the UNDOF mission was delayed. That rotation is now complete. An advance party of Defence Forces personnel deployed to UNDOF on Wednesday, 1 October, while the main contingent followed yesterday, 7 October.

In conclusion, I welcome the comments made by all the Members who have spoken thus far. I can assure the House that participation in UNDOF will kept under review.

The position regarding the Filipino forces is a matter for their government, just as a matter concerning the Irish Army or Defence Forces is a matter for the Irish Government. I can assure everyone that we will keep the matter under constant review and that all intelligence we get will be treated in a very sensitive way. Any decisions that the Government makes will be based on details and intelligence received from all sides.

Last night Senator Mooney talked about the return of the Filipino soldiers. When soldiers return it is a special occasion for the returning personnel and their families, so we did not want to have a jamboree-like party for them. It is very important that they were reunited with their families, because returning from a tour of duty is a special time in their lives. The personnel are partners, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, and so on.

Senator Whelan mentioned support, and I can assure him that there will be supports provided for personnel who return. I recognise that it can be quite difficult for personnel who have served on any form of mission to return home and all of a sudden find themselves in the day-to-day running of a family home. For the previous three to six months they would have had a daily routine, but now they must adjust to living with their families and everything else involved. Adjusting can be quite difficult at times. Having spoken to personnel who have served abroad, I know that fitting back into family life can be quite difficult. I can assure the Senator that both the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces in general will give all help and support possible to members who return.

There is constant dialogue between all the aid agencies and the Irish Defence Forces. There is no specific agency serving in the Golan Heights, but there are agencies in the Middle East generally. I can assure the Senator that the Irish Defence Forces have a constant dialogue with all agencies. It is important that their safety is constantly kept under review and that there is constant dialogue, because the Irish Defence Forces can learn from the aid agencies that operate on the ground.

On behalf of the Minister for Defence and on my own behalf, I wish each and every member of the 46th Infantry Group, under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Harrington, a safe and successful mission, and I hope they will return safely to Ireland when they have completed their mission.

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)
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Cuirim céad fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Ach an oiread le Seanadóirí eile, tá áthas orm a bheith in ann labhairt ar an díospóireacht seo agus a bheith in ann ár mbeannachtaí agus ár mbuíochas a chur in iúl do na saighdiúrí cróga agus na daoine ar fad a bhíonn ag plé leis na misin seo go dtí Arda Golan - an dream atá tagtha abhaile agus ríméad orthu agus ar a gclanna go bhfuil siad slán sábháilte agus an dream atá ag dul anonn ag seasamh ar son na síochána.

I welcome the time set aside to discuss this issue in the Seanad.

I am sure we all share the genuine concern for the health and safety of Irish troops stationed in the Golan Heights on the UNDOF mission. Irish Defence Force personnel who have served on UN peacekeeping missions have been a credit to the country through their professional conduct and exceptional work. Sinn Féin is committed to positive Irish neutrality and an independent foreign policy. We believe Ireland should actively work to promote conflict resolution, peaceful democratic settlements and pathways and mechanisms to facilitate the self-determination of peoples throughout the world. The State's history of serving in UN blue helmet peacekeeping missions is a matter of pride and enhances our standing as a neutral state. However, sending troops to the UNDOF mission is not a simple or straightforward decision. As we know, UNDOF was set up in 1974 to patrol and monitor the strip between Syria and Israel, but it has been increasingly caught up in the civil war in Syria with rebel groups attacking UN bases and kidnapping peacekeepers.
Ireland was asked to provide troops to the mission after Austria announced it was pulling out over security concerns and because the EU failed to renew its arms embargo on Syria. When this issue was debated in the Dáil on 18 July 2013, my colleague, Deputy Seán Crowe, made it clear that Sinn Féin felt the current mandate for UNDOF was not fit for purpose and that EU decisions, coupled with the continued erosion of Irish neutrality by consecutive Governments, robbed Irish troops of their neutrality on this mission. As a result, Sinn Féin voted against sending Irish troops on the UNDOF mission and we stand over that decision.
However, although we opposed this deployment we accept that the Government did get Dáil approval to deploy troops. Ever since we have used all opportunities to ensure their safety is of paramount concern. Almost all UN troops in the region are now deployed in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights area, including Irish troops, and that the UN Security Council has strongly backed the UNDOF mission. However, we now have a situation where the US and some EU states, with the support of some Arab countries, have carried out air strikes against ISIS targets in Syria and Iraq. This muddles the complexity of the Syrian war with many neighbouring countries supporting rebel and radical Islamist groups while at the same time they symbolically assist the US to bomb ISIS targets, supposedly without the approval of the Syrian Government. Is the Minister of State concerned about the reports that the al-Nusra front, an al-Qaeda aligned group, has stated that it will seek revenge for these attacks? What steps are being taken in this regard? In the past the group has attacked the Golan Heights and taken peacekeepers hostage. Are the Minister of State and Government confident that everything possible is being done to ensure the safety of Irish peacekeepers on these missions?
Kurdish defence forces have bravely fought off Islamic jihadists since 2012 and Kurdish areas have become a haven for refugees fleeing persecution, but there is now a fear that they may be overrun. According to reports, more than 60,00 Kurds have fled from ISIS across the Turkish border in the past few days. Sinn Féin supports the Government's humanitarian support for the vulnerable and impoverished Syrian population, and we would support Government initiatives to increase State humanitarian aid. Indeed, we believe aid should be sent to Kurdish regions in Iraq and Syria, and this should be negotiated directly with Kurdish officials. We also believe that all sides in the conflict should immediately begin a cessation of violence and enter into inclusive peace talks. We support the troops that are there and call on the Government to do more.
We all value Irish neutrality. Interesting work is currently being done by the Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions on foot of a petition by Shannonwatch, which has called into question the issue of Irish neutrality because of the use of Shannon Airport by US military aeroplanes etc. The process is ongoing but we have a very interesting engagement in Shannon Airport with the gardaí and airport authorities last week. I am sure when the committee completes its deliberations it will produce proposals on the issues. It is a matter of concern for many citizens that the use of the airport brings our neutrality into question. It is something we should examine at a future date.
Idir an dá linn, tugann muid tacaíocht do na saighdiúrí agus do na mná agus na fir cróga a bhí amuigh ansin ag seasamh ar son na síochána.