Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 79: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding requests from the EU or UN for Irish troop deployments on peacekeeping or peace enforcement missions at various locations; the extent to which such deployments are planned for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9239/10]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 198: To ask the Minister for Defence the anticipated extent of overseas peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9649/10]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 198 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 11 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 420 personnel, the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 236 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.

As outlined in the budget in December 2009, it has been decided that the Defence Forces commitments to overseas peace support operations will be scaled back in 2010 as one of the budgetary expenditure reductions. The operations where Ireland will be reducing its commitments will be KFOR in Kosovo and Operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In April 2010 at the next rotation, it is planned to draw-down Irish personnel from KFOR from the current 236 personnel to 50 (approx) and to retain a small residual component post October 2010. In July 2010, at the end of the next rotation to Operation ALTHEA, Ireland will reduce its current contribution of 44 personnel to approx 5 personnel.

With regard to the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT), the UN mandate for this mission is due to expire on 15 March 2010. The question of the renewal of the mandate and the duration of any such renewal is currently under discussion at the UN and discussions in this regard are also ongoing with the Chadian authorities.

I am aware that President Deby has written to the UN Secretary General suggesting that the MINURCAT mission should be brought to a conclusion and withdrawn. It will be a matter for the Security Council to decide as and when a mission should be concluded.

Subject to renewal of the mandate by the UN Security Council, Ireland is committed to maintaining the Defence Forces contingent in Chad with MINURCAT for at least another year. However, should the UN mandate end, then the Defence Forces will withdraw and it is envisaged that a period of consolidation and renewal would be allowed for training and equipment maintenance before the Defence Forces would undertake a further mission. The costs of repatriation of Irish troops and equipment from MINURCAT would be met by the UN.

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. When considering any particular request, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political 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 a recent EU request to despatch members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the proposed EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) military mission to contribute to the training of Somali Security Forces (EUTM Somalia) to be carried out in Uganda, no other deployments are planned or envisaged at this time. In response to the EU request, the Government decided yesterday to despatch five (5) members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the proposed EU training mission, which is scheduled to be launched in May 2010.

Members of the Permanent Defence Force Serving Overseas as of 19 FEBRUARY 2010