Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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27. To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the Irish contingent of peacekeepers on the Syrian Golan Heights in view of the changed and deteriorating situation and multiplicity of armed groups in the area of operations, and also in view of the fact that this UNDOF mission has been in place for over 40 years without having facilitated the resolution of the Syrian-Israeli conflict; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34547/14]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force was deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in September 2013 at the request of the United Nations. The current deployment, the 44th Irish Infantry Group UNDOF, comprises 130 troops and 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. Since its establishment in 1974, UNDOF has successfully supervised the implementation of the Disengagement Agreement between the Israeli and Syrian forces, maintaining an area of separation between the forces which is over 75 kilometres long. The mission has also been successful in supporting the efforts of the international community both in the Golan Heights region of Syria and in the broader Middle-East region.

Since 1974, the mandate of UNDOF has been renewed every six months. Over the years, while recommending the next extension of the mandate, the UN Secretary-General has repeatedly observed that unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem was reached, he considered the continued presence of UNDOF in the area to be essential.

The escalation of the present conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic has affected the UNDOF area of operations significantly. In light of the evolving security situation in the mission area, I have requested the UN to review the capacity of the mission to fulfill its mandate. The UN Security Council will be briefed later today on UNDOF and how the mission can respond to the changed circumstances. Already, there has been fundamental realignment of the mission over the weekend reflecting the situation on the ground. The Force Headquarters, including the Irish contingent, have been redeployed from Camp Faouar to Camp Ziouani, which is on the Israeli side of the separation zone, in response to developments on the ground.

The outcome of the review by the UN may result in significant changes to the mission that will permit Ireland’s continued support and participation. The Irish contribution to UNDOF is an important element of the Force. In this regard, I would like to pay tribute to the members of the 44th Infantry Group in their role as UNDOF’s Quick Reaction Force in discharging their duties effectively in the challenging operating conditions they face in the region.