Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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344. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of overseas missions in which the Defence Forces are involved; the number of personnel involved in each mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29878/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As of 06 July 2015, Ireland is contributing 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) medics of the Permanent Defence Force, wasdeployed to the Operation. The L.É. Eithne, which has completed its deployment, and is en route back to Ireland, was involved in 22 rescue operations resulting in the rescue of 3,377 migrants. L.É. Niamh has deployed to the Mediterranean to continue Ireland’s contribution to the search and rescue mission. L.É. Niamh will be deployed on the high seas in international waters between Sicily and Libya, which is where most migrant activity and search and rescue incidents have occurred.

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