Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces on service with the United Nations in all missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23770/06]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received a request to supply troops for possible UN missions in the Sudan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23968/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 40: To ask the Minister for Defence if further requests have been received for the deployment of more Irish troops on various EU or UN peacekeeping or peace-enforcement missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24109/06]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Irish troops deployed on overseas missions; the duration of each mission; if a request for new missions has been made to the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23732/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 22, 40 and 47 together.

Ireland is currently contributing 678 Defence Forces personnel to 19 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement.

The main commitments are to the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), with 333 personnel, to the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo, with 213 personnel and to EUFOR, the EU-led operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 60 personnel. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Staff are also deployed at the organisational headquarters of the UN, EU, OSCE and NATO.

With regard to future participation by the Defence Forces in UNMIL, the original plan was to withdraw the Irish Contingent towards the end of this year. However, in response to a recent request from UN Secretary-General Annan to the Taoiseach, it has been decided to extend the duration of the deployment in Liberia to May 2007.

In March 2004, a reorganisation and downsizing of the NATO led forces in KFOR, which had partly commenced earlier, was deferred following civil disturbances in Kosovo at that time. That restructuring has now recommenced and is ongoing. However, having regard to the fragility of the peace in Kosovo, and subject to ongoing assessments of the situation on the ground, both myself and the Minister for Foreign Affairs are agreed on the importance of maintaining an Irish presence in the Western Balkans in 2006/2007. There is no plan to alter the Irish contribution to EUFOR's Operation Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the next twelve months.

Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. On 9 May, 2006, the Government authorised the dispatch of members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the new EU military operation, Eufor RD Congo, in support of the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), authorised under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1671 of 25 April, 2006. The main purpose of the EU operation is to be available to support MONUC during the upcoming election process, due to take place under UN supervision in July 2006, for a four month period. A total of seven Defence Forces personnel will be deployed with the EU mission.

An informal request for Irish Defence Forces participation in a new UN force in Darfur was received from the UN last month. However, after careful consideration of the request, the UN was advised that due to our extended engagement in Liberia to May 2007, we are not at this time in a position where we could provide additional troops or support to the prospective UN Mission in Sudan.

Ireland's commitment under the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements System (UNSAS) is 850 which represents 10% of the total Army strength. This is the figure set in the White paper on Defence and is the maximum sustainable commitment that Ireland can make to overseas operations. There are no plans at this time to increase the level of our commitment to UNSAS and any contribution to EU or UN Missions will be met within the context of the 850 ceiling.