Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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517. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which the services of the army, navy and air corps continue to be called on to assist on international peace-keeping and-or rescue missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22398/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As of 01 June 2015, Ireland is contributing approximately 497 Defence Forces personnel to 13 missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas including the lead organisation for each mission are listed in the tabular statement attached.

The most recent deployment overseas was the despatch of the Irish naval vessel, L.É. Eithne, to assist the Italian authorities in humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean.  A crew of sixty-seven (67) personnel of the Permanent Defence Force, augmented by two (2) medical officers of the Permanent Defence Force, are deployed to the Operation.

Requests received by Ireland from time to time in relation to participation in various missions are considered on a case-by-case basis. However, given Ireland's current level of commitment in overseas peacekeeping operations we are not in a position to make significant long-term commitments to other missions at this time.

The current contribution of some 497 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 OVERSEASAS OF 01 JUNE 2015