Written answers

Wednesday, 4 February 2009

Department of Defence

Overseas Missions

9:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 152: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Force personnel participating in overseas duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3487/09]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of locations at which the Defence Forces are serving overseas; the number of personnel involved; the expected numbers required in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3794/09]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for future participation in EU or UN sponsored missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3795/09]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 226: To ask the Minister for Defence if further requests have been received for the deployment of more Irish troops on various EU or UN peace-keeping or peace-enforcement missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3797/09]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of strength of proposed deployments of Irish troops overseas with particular reference to the need to ensure sufficient strength for their own protection and that of their colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3799/09]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 152, 223, 224, 226 and 228 together.

Ireland has offered, through the UN Standby Arrangements System (UNSAS), to provide up to 850 military personnel 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 peacekeeping operations.

Ireland is currently contributing 760 Defence Forces personnel to 14 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement.

The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the UN Mandated EU multi-national mission to Chad and the Central African Republic — EUFOR TCHAD/RCA — with 425 personnel, the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 233 personnel and EUFOR, the EU-led operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 44 personnel. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with the United Nations, the European Union 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.

The UN has requested Ireland to consider putting the Irish troops, currently deployed with EUFOR TCHAD/RCA, under the command of the United Nations after 15 March 2009, when EUFOR's mandate expires. The Government has already approved, in principle, continued participation by the Irish Defence Forces in the UN Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) with a contingent similar in size and nature to its existing contribution to EUFOR. I plan to revert to Government shortly seeking formal approval for Ireland's participation in the follow-on mission and to then seek the approval of Dáil Éireann in accordance with the requirements of the Defence Acts.

With regard to other future deployments, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. When considering any particular request, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a long-term solution, consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy and the degree of risk involved are amongst the factors considered.

Force protection is always a key consideration when Defence Forces are being deployed overseas. Contingents deployed overseas are provided with all the required military hardware to fulfil their role in any particular mission. For example in Chad, the Defence Forces have deployed a full range of force protection assets, including 17 MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carriers and 4 Close Reconnaissance Vehicles and indirect fire capabilities (mortars). These provide the necessary armoured protection, mobility, firepower and communications. The Defence Forces have also deployed a suite of robust tactical communications systems.

Apart from the UN request to transfer Irish personnel currently deployed with EUFOR TCHAD/CAR under the authority of MINURCAT, no other deployments are planned or envisaged at this time.

Members of the Permanent Defence Force Serving Overseas as of 01 January 2009
Number
1. UN Missions
(i) UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ 6
(ii) UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) — Israel, Syria and Lebanon12
(iii) MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)3
(iv) UNMIK (United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo)4
(v) MONUC (United Nations Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo)3
(vi) UNOCI (United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast)2
(vii) MINURCAT (United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad) (Core Planning Team — UN HQ New York)1
Total31
UN Mandated Missions
(viii) EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina)44
(ix) EUFORTCHAD/RCA (EU-led Operation in CHAD and the Central African Republic) OHQ — Paris18
EUFOR TCHAD/RCA (EU-led Operation in CHAD and the Central African Republic) FHQ — Chad23
EUFOR TCHAD/RCA (EU-led Operation in CHAD and the Central African Republic) 99th Inf Battalion384
(x) KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ15
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) 39th Inf Group218
(xi) ISAF (International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan)7
Total number of personnel serving with UN missions740
2. Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
(i) OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina2
(ii) OSCE Mission in Belgrade — Serbia1
(iii) OSCE Mission in Skopje — Macedonia1
(iv) Staff Officer, Higher Level Planning Group, Vienna1
Total number of personnel serving OSCE5
3. EU Military Staff
Brussels6
4. Military Representatives/Advisers/Staff
(i) Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York1
(ii) Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna1
(iii) Military Representatives to EU (Brussels)4
(iv) Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels)2
(v) Military Representative to NATO/PfP Co-ordination Cell/Supreme1
Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Mons, Belgium
TOTAL NUMBER DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS760

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