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

126. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which members of the Defence Forces from the Army, Navy and Air Corps are deployed overseas at present; if any further or new deployments are forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26334/14]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As of 01 June 2014, Ireland is contributing approximately 417 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement attached. Ireland’s main deployments are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 199 personnel and United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 135 personnel. Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with eight (8) personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with seven (7) personnel; the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with twelve (12) personnel; and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan with seven (7) personnel, and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan with five (5) personnel. Ireland also contributes 26 observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions, 3 personnel to the Nordic Battle group headquarters in Sweden and 15 other personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters.

The breakdown of the 417 Irish Defence Forces personnel currently serving overseas is 376 Army, 32 Air Corps and 9 Naval Service.

With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, 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. Due to Ireland’s own current level of commitment in overseas peacekeeping operations, notably to the United Nations Disengagement Force in Syria and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, we are not in a position to make any significant commitment to other missions at this time.

The current contribution of some 417 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.