Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Defence the expected future strength and location of overseas troop deployments with regard to requests received to date, pending or expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9849/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received communication from the UN or EU in regard to participation in peace keeping or peace enforcement missions overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10185/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which it is intended or expected to deploy members of the Army, Navy and Air Corps on EU or UN sponsored missions in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10186/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of locations to which members of the Defence Forces or gardaí are deployed on overseas missions; the degree to which such missions are expected to continue; if increased participation is expected; the degree to which discussions have taken place with his EU or UN colleagues in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10187/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 365 to 367, inclusive, 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 788 Defence Forces personnel to 14 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement. While personnel from all services are liable for and do serve overseas, as a matter of policy Air Corps and Naval assets are not deployed overseas.

The deployment of members of An Garda Siochána overseas is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

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 439 personnel, the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 234 personnel and the EU-led operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, ALTHEA, with 45 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.

Recently, the UN 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. On 5 March 2009, Dáil Éireann approved the transfer of command of the Irish contingent currently serving in Chad with EUFOR TCHAD/RCA to the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT). The Defence Forces contribution will be similar in size and nature to Ireland's existing contribution to EUFOR.

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.

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.