Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Defence if he will commit to protecting the triple-lock mechanism. [6127/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In accordance with the provisions of the White Paper on Defence 2000, the Government is committed to maintaining Ireland’s contribution to international peace support operations through the deployment of Defence Forces personnel on UN mandated peace support operations. Deployment on all peace support missions is subject to what is referred to as “the triple lock” – i.e. Government, Dáil and UN approval. However, personnel may be deployed for training, for humanitarian operations and for other such reasons under the authority of the Government in accordance with the provisions of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 2006, which formalised arrangements in this regard.

The requirements of the “triple lock” were most recently set out in Ireland’s national declaration associated with the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty.

A Defence Green Paper is due to be published shortly which will initiate the process of developing a new White Paper on Defence. Obviously, since the last White Paper on Defence, both the domestic and the international security environment and the related threats and challenges have evolved significantly. In this context the Green Paper will engender discussion on all relevant matters including the triple lock. However, it would not be appropriate for me to prejudge the outcome of that debate and I look forward to a positive and engaged discussion on the issue, in the context of formulating a forward looking defence policy for Ireland for the next ten years through the development of the next Defence White Paper.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the number of tours of duty there were to Lebanon since 1 January 2000; the number of Privates, Corporals, Sergeants, CQs and Company Sergeants that were on each trip. [6126/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There were 13 tours of duty (deployments) to the Lebanon since 01 January 2000. The breakdown of the ranks requested by the Deputy for each contingent is set out in the table below: