Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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829. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the Defence Forces’ participation in the UNDOF mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12945/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) was established on 31 May 1974 under UN Security Council Resolution 350 in order to maintain the ceasefire between Israel and Syria. By its latest resolution 2131 of 18 December 2013, the Security Council stressed the obligation of both Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic to scrupulously observe the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement and abide by its terms. It underscored that there should be no military forces in the area of separation other than those of UNDOF. It also called on all parties to the Syrian domestic conflict to cease military actions within the UNDOF Area of Operations. UNDOF currently has a military strength of approximately 1,236 with a further 145 civilian staff. A total of six countries currently contribute to the mission including Ireland, India, Fiji, Netherlands, Philippines and Nepal.

Following Government and Dáil approval, the deployment of the 43rd Infantry Group to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights was successfully completed on 28 September 2013. The 43rd Infantry Group, comprising 112 personnel, consists of a Force Reserve Company and support elements. Their role includes the provision of a Quick Reaction Force which is on standby to assist with on-going operations within the UNDOF Area of Responsibility. The Irish Infantry Group is also tasked with carrying out patrols and convoy escorts as necessary. In addition to the Force Reserve Company there are also five (5) Defence Forces personnel based in UNDOF Headquarters in Camp Faouar on the Golan Heights.

Irish personnel serving with UNDOF Force Reserve Company will be rotated on a six-monthly basis. Members of the 43rd Infantry Group will shortly complete their six month tour of duty at the end of this month when they will be replaced by members of the 44th Infantry Group.

An incident, where Irish Troops came under small arms fire did occur in UNDOF in November last year. At that time an Irish patrol, with five (5) Armoured Personnel Carriers, was escorting Philippino personnel to their post in the UNDOF area of operations when they came under fire. Irish troops returned fire. While the patrol was withdrawing one Armoured Personnel Carrier was hit by an explosion which damaged its rear right wheel. The cause of the explosion was later determined to be a landmine. The patrol withdrew to a defensive location and later successfully returned to UNDOF headquarters in Camp Faouar. During the incident in question, one member of the Irish patrol suffered a minor back injury. He was treated in hospital in Israel, for precautionary tests and returned to duty in Camp Faouar the following day.

Irish troops are deployed to the Golan Heights at a time of increased instability in that region. That was the situation pertaining in the region when Dáil Éireann considered this issue last July, when it decided to deploy the contingent to UNDOF. It was never the case that this deployment was going to be easy. Both the political and the security situation in the region is volatile; that is why we are there.