Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 376: 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. [25237/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of locations to which members of the Defence Forces are currently deployed on overseas missions; the degree to which such missions are likely to continue; if increased participation is likely to be required, 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. [25238/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 383: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of locations at which the Defence Forces are currently serving overseas; the number of personnel involved and the number required in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25244/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos 376, 377 and 383 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 759 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement below.

The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) with 418 personnel, the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 239 personnel and the EU-led operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, ALTHEA, with 44 personnel. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Staff are also deployed at the organisational headquarters of the EU, OSCE and NATO.

The commitment to MINURCAT will be for an initial period of 1 year to 14 March 2010. Subject to the renewal of the mandate, a satisfactory review of the mission and available resources, I would propose, subject to Government approval, to extend the Defence Forces participation on a year to year basis thereafter. Participation by the Defence Forces in the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo is reviewed by the Government on an annual basis. Later this Month, I propose to bring proposals to Government to extend the Defence Forces participation in this mission for a further twelve months from July 2009.

EUFOR's Operation "ALTHEA" in Bosnia and Herzegovina is expected to change from its current configuration of some 2,200 troops, to a support and training operation, which will involve some 200 military personnel. The timelines for the transition to a training operation and the subsequent drawing-down of the Operation ALTHEA Force will be discussed at the next Peace Implementation Council meeting, scheduled to take place in late June 2009. Once agreed, the transition should take approximately six (6) to nine (9) months to complete. Irish troops will continue to serve in Bosnia and Herzegovina until the current Government approval expires in December 2009.

With regard to 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. In response to a recent request from the European Union, the Government approved the deployment of two (2) naval service personnel, for a period of up to 6 months, to the Operational Headquarters (based in Northwood in the UK) of the EU-led anti-piracy operation Atalanta off the coast of Somalia.

Question No. 378 answered with Question No. 48.