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

138. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Irish troops currently deployed overseas; the extent to which further deployments are pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53321/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As of 01 December 2013, Ireland is contributing approximately 416 Defence Forces personnel to 14 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement attached. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 210 personnel, including the Deputy Force Commander. Members of the 42^nd Infantry Group who are serving as part of the joint Finnish/Irish Battalion, are tasked primarily with patrolling, reconnaissance and occupying static posts while operating in close coordination and cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces in Sector West of UNIFIL’s area of operations.

Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 119 Defence Forces personnel, including four (4) personnel at the Mission Headquarters, the EU Training Mission (EUTM) Somalia with eight (8) personnel, including the Mission Commander; the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with eight (8) personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with seven (7) personnel who are based at mission headquarters in Sarajevo; the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with twelve (12) personnel based in the mission Headquarters; and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan with seven (7) personnel who are based in the mission Headquarters in Kabul and four (4) personnel deployed for service with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan. Ireland also contributes 25 observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and 16 other personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters.

Apart from the recent deployment to UNDOF, no other deployments are envisaged at this time. The current contribution of some 416 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS AS OF 01 DECEMBER 2013