Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Irish Defence Forces personnel operating in Afghanistan and their role; and if there is an intention of withdrawing them in view of the deterioration of the situation in that country. [2927/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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On 20 December, 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 authorising the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for six months to assist the Interim Afghanistan Authority in the maintenance of security in Kabul and the surrounding areas. The authorisation of ISAF has been extended by the UN Security Council since then. NATO assumed the lead in ISAF on 11 August, 2003. The current Commander of ISAF, which has a strength of approximately 32,000 personnel, is Lt. Gen David Richards (UK).

Ireland has participated in ISAF in Afghanistan since 5 July, 2002, following the Government Decision of 2 July, 2002 authorising the provision of seven members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the force.

Seven Irish personnel are currently serving with the force. Three personnel are serving as staff officers with the ISAF HQ in Kabul and four personnel are deployed in Liaison Teams in the Regional Command Capital (RC(C)) Kabul. The Liaison Teams specifically liaise between the RC(C) and the Afghan National Directorate of Security, Kabul Police and the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA).

The safety of Irish personnel serving overseas is always of paramount concern to me. The overall threat to ISAF in Kabul, Afghanistan, is currently assessed as "significant", as it has been for some considerable time. In view of these risks and following a review of the threat to our personnel in Kabul, additional security and protective measures have been put in place. Armoured protection vehicles have recently been provided to the personnel serving in Kabul and other security measures in relation to routes and travel have also been taken. Ongoing risk assessments will continue to take account of the situation on the ground and all possible precautions will be taken to ensure the safety of our troops there.

At this time, it is planned that Defence Forces personnel will continue to serve with ISAF, subject to ongoing review by my Department and the Defence Forces.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Defence the position in regard to the likelihood of further deployments of Irish troops at various locations overseas in connection with EU or UN related issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2981/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Irish troops currently on UN assignments; the locations of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3274/07]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he has had discussions with EU or other colleagues in regard to future deployment of Irish troops on peace keeping or peace enforcement missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3227/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 273 and 280 together.

Currently, a total of 830 Defence Forces personnel is serving overseas, full details of which are listed in the attached statement.

Ireland has offered, through the UN Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS), to provide up to 850 military personnel, configured as a light infantry mounted battalion, for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of Ireland's standing Army (excluding Reserves) and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable commitment that Ireland can make to overseas peace-keeping operations. There are no plans at this time to increase the level of our commitment to UNSAS.

Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. However, we are currently fairly close to the limit of our sustainable commitments.

Looking to the future, we will complete our withdrawal from the United Nations Mission in Liberia in May 2007 and will take over as Lead Nation in the KFOR Multinational Task Force Centre in August this year for a period of 12 months. The question of further deployments on overseas missions will be looked at in mid 2007 in the context of the then available resources.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Irish soldiers who are stationed in Lebanon on peace keeping duties under the UN mandate; the type of work that is being carried out by Irish soldiers there; his plans to visit the soldiers in the Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2802/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 47: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on the deployment of Irish troops in Lebanon; if there has been a recent update of the security risk of the mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2923/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 47 together.

UNIFIL was originally established on 19 March 1978 under United Nations Security Council resolutions 425 and 426, following the invasion of Lebanon by Israel, with a mandate "to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli Forces, to restore international peace and security and to assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring the return of its effective authority in the area". The Secretary General of the United Nations concluded that as of 16 June, 2000, Israel had withdrawn its forces from Lebanon in accordance with resolution 425 (1978), thus partially fulfilling UNIFIL's original mandate. Since then, UNIFIL continued to operate in Southern Lebanon, focussing on the remaining part of its mandate: the restoration of peace and security in the region.

In response to the July-August 2006 crisis, the UN decided, under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, to extend the mandate of UNIFIL to the end of August, 2007, and to increase its troop strength, from approximately 2,000 troops, to a maximum of 15,000. The Council also decided that, in addition to carrying out its original mandate, UNIFIL would also monitor the cessation of hostilities; accompany and support the Lebanese armed forces as they deploy throughout Southern Lebanon; and extend its assistance to help ensure humanitarian access to civilian populations and the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons.

The nature of the expanded UNIFIL mandate is such that its role is to be considerably more robust than it was prior to the adoption of Resolution 1701, while still operating under Chapter VI of the UN Charter.

At the time of the crisis, Ireland had 5 Defence Forces personnel deployed at the Force Headquarters in Naquora. These personnel are still in place. However, in response to the expanded mandate for the mission and a request from the UN, the Government with Dáil approval, increased Ireland's contribution to some 162 personnel. The additional contribution, is part of a joint Finnish-Irish Engineering Battalion which carries out tasks in support of UNIFIL, including dealing with unexploded ordnance clearance and reconstruction. Ireland provides the security detail for the Engineering contingent from Finland. While the Irish element is tasked primarily for reconnaissance, security and protection duties associated with these engineering works, it is also be available to undertake other tasks at the request of the UNIFIL Force Commander. Initial deployment will be for 1 year subject to renewal of the mandate and a satisfactory review of the mission at that time.

A key aspect and the primary concern in relation to participation in any mission is the safety and security of Defence Forces personnel. Prior to deployment, the Defence Forces undertook a joint reconnaissance mission with Finland. Following consultation with our Finnish colleagues, UNIFIL and other parties, it determined that there is no direct threat to UNIFIL personnel. That said, the uncertain and volatile situation means that incidents, misunderstandings or wider political developments all have the potential to impact negatively on the peace-keeping operation. The large quantity of cluster-bomblets and other unexploded ordnance also present a risk. While there have been political difficulties and some civil unrest in the country, the ceasefire in Southern Lebanon seems to be holding and the Defence Forces have assessed the overall threat as "LOW within a volatile situation", not dissimilar to that encountered by Irish personnel on other peace support missions. This continues to be the assessment of the Defence Forces and I am satisfied that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of the Defence Forces personnel serving in Lebanon.

For the first few days after the initial deployment on 31 October, pack rations, supplemented with locally purchased breads, fruits and vegetables and additional food items shipped from Ireland were provided to all personnel. Commencing 4 November 2006, a hot meal was provided daily from field kitchens. The dining facility in the camp (Camp IDA) was opened on 6 December 2006, with hot food served at all three meals daily. The Defence Forces have assured me that the food served in Camp IDA is to a high standard and the bill of fare provides a balanced diet of meat, vegetables, potatoes, fruit, pasta, rice and dairy products. As you will appreciate, this is a new operation in a new camp and it takes time to put in place all the required facilities.

I had planned to visit the Defence Forces contingent in late November but was advised by the Chief of Staff that I should defer my visit until the New Year, when the mission was more established and had a more detailed understanding and assessment of the operation and the security situation. I am now looking forward to visiting the contingent towards the end of February.