Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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89. To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the safety of members of the 51st Infantry Group who will leave later this month for service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, given the recent attacks on civilians and soldiers in Lebanon, and given the prospect of greater destabilisation. [41165/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The 51st Infantry Group is the latest contingent of the Defence Forces who deployed this month to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Irish contingent comprising 197 personnel is based primarily in Camp 2-45 as part of a joint battalion with Finland. The decision by Government to send troops overseas is never taken lightly. 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. Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of mission specific training. Such training, which is updated on an ongoing basis in the light of increased threat, has been designed to allow Defence Forces personnel to carry out their tasks and to provide for their protection.

Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions are equipped with the most modern and effective equipment to carry out their mission. This equipment enables troops to fulfill the roles assigned to them, as well as providing the required protection specific to the mission. In addition to training and equipment, ongoing threat assessments are carried out in mission areas and both equipment and force assets are continually reviewed to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfill their roles.

The reality is that no peacekeeping mission is without danger. I am confident, however that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all Defence Forces personnel currently serving overseas.

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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90. To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for the continued participation of the Irish Defence Forces, building on their exemplary work to date, in assisting persons seeking refuge from the conflict in parts of the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41184/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed in the Middle East are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 192 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 150 personnel. In addition, the deployment of naval assets to support Italy in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean has been very significant. L.É. Samuel Beckett, which is currently deployed, is the third ship to join the mission, following the successful deployments of L.É. Eithne and L.É. Niamh. The three Naval vessels rescued a combined total of 8,592 migrants to date. Ireland’s participation has been warmly welcomed and positively endorsed by the Italian authorities who appreciate the costs and demands of such deployments.

While the rate of operations in the Mediterranean has declined in recent weeks, the deteriorating sea conditions at this time of the year increases the danger for all those who embark on the dangerous journey from North Africa to Europe. L.É. Samuel Beckett is scheduled to withdraw in early December 2015 subject to ongoing assessment of the crisis and the operational need to continue to provide such assistance.

The question of a further deployment to the operation in the Mediterranean next year will be evaluated over the coming months and will be considered in the context of the ongoing situation in the Mediterranean and the overall EU response thereto, the demands on the Defence Forces, our overseas commitments and available resources.