Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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134. To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the health and safety of Irish troops in the Golan Heights in Syria, considering that two United Nations peacekeepers were recently injured by motor fire in the region; and if there have been any changes in procedure, considering that fighting has got considerably closer to Irish positions in recent weeks and the area remains very volatile. [21293/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At the request of the United Nations, following Government and Dáil Éireann approval, a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights since 2013.

The safety of all Irish Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions is always a concern to me, my Government colleagues and to the military authorities. Our ability to protect the health and safety of Irish troops deployed on the Golan Heights is of paramount concern.

The current Irish contingent, the 48th Infantry Group, who deployed in March 2015, undertake regular drills and exercises to ensure that all personnel are aware of the force protection actions to be carried out in the event of a deterioration of the security situation. Defence Forces personnel serving overseas are appropriately trained and equipped with the most modern and effective equipment to carry out their mission.

The security situation in the UNDOF Area of Responsibility remains volatile and unpredictable. Ongoing threat assessments are carried out in the mission area and personal equipment and force assets are continually reviewed, to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfil their role.

Following the significant events in August 2014 in the area of separation, there was a fundamental realignment of the UNDOF mission with a view to minimizing unacceptable risks to peacekeepers, while continuing to implement the mission's mandate. Most UNDOF personnel are now deployed on the Israeli side of the area of separation. A number of enhancement measures were undertaken at Camp Ziouani since the relocation of the Irish Contingent in September 2014.

The reality is that no peacekeeping mission is without danger. I am satisfied, however that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all Defence Forces personnel serving in the UNDOF mission. The presence of the UNDOF mission remains an important element in ensuring stability on the Golan Heights and in the Middle East region.