Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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381. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he expects members of the Defence Forces to be deployed overseas in the coming years; the scale of any such proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1558/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As of 1 January 2015, Ireland is contributing 426 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 199 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 138 personnel, the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 12 personnel, the EU-led operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 7 personnel, the EU-led Training Mission in Mali with 10 personnel and the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan with 7 personnel. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with several United Nations missions. Personnel have also recently deployed to the Irish Embassy in Sierra Leone and 5 medical personnel will shortly deploy with UK Armed forces to support the international response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa. 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. Initial work on possible options for a contribution by Ireland to the EU maritime mission in the Horn of Africa, Operation ATALANTA is being undertaken in my Department and a decision in this regard will be made in due course.

However, given Ireland’s current level of commitment in overseas peacekeeping operations, notably to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in Syria and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, we are not in a position to make significant long-term commitments to other missions at this time.

The current contribution of some 426 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.