Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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304. To ask the Minister for Defence if he is aware that the operational imperative regarding freedom of movement for members of the Defence Forces serving in south Lebanon in pursuit of the Security Council resolution for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is being constantly challenged by non-government elements; that this has seriously impeded the Defence Forces from carrying out essential elements of the resolution; and if he will outline the credible steps, other than routine rote protests, he is taking to ensure this essential freedom of movement is guaranteed in all the areas of operations. [41835/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Military Authorities that Defence Forces personnel in UNIFIL continue to conduct their operations in accordance with the United Nations Security Council Resolution and have not been subject to any restrictions on their Freedom of Movement. There is no evidence to suggest that Irish troops are being "constantly challenged by non-Government elements". While there may be very occasional minor confrontations, these do not impede our troops in the pursuance of the mandate.

Commanders at all levels in the Mission liaise with the Host Nation, with the Lebanese Armed Forces and with local stakeholders to ensure that all aspects of the overall UNIFIL Mission, including Freedom of Movement, are achievable. Tactical decisions are also taken by Defence Forces personnel on a daily basis in dealing with Operational incidents.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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305. To ask the Minister for Defence given that special representatives of the United Nations Secretary General are vested with overall authority in deployed multifaceted missions, including those with military forces components, if he is aware that UN military force commanders cannot exercise the optimum span of operational control essential for complex military operations in austere environments; and the steps he is taking with the UN to ensure this structural challenge in its missions is not impeding the outputs of military forces, especially where protection of civilians and robust peacekeeping requirements are essential. [41836/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On 31 October 2014, Secretary General of the United Nations commissioned a High-level Independent Panel on Peace Operations to conduct a comprehensive assessment of United Nations peace operations today and how they can be made more effective, efficient and responsive in a changing world. The High Level Panel made a number of recommendations in the Report including one to the effect that: “Clear Headquarters-field authority, command and control must be provided for all military deployments, with tighter integration of operational and logistics concepts of operations and delivery.”

On 16 June 2015, the Panel delivered its report to the Secretary General. Drawing on the Panel's recommendations, the Secretary General has set out priorities and key actions required to bring the recommendations about. The Secretary General of the United Nations action plan centres on three pillars: renewed focus on prevention and mediation; stronger regional-global partnerships; and new ways of planning and conducting United Nations peace operations to make them faster, more responsive and more accountable to the needs of countries and people in conflict.

The Department of Defence was pleased to provide input into Ireland's submission to the High Level Panel on Peace Operations appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations on 31 October 2014. Ireland looks forward over the coming year to taking an active part in discussion on how best to take forward the recommendations of the High-level Independent Report on Peace Operations. In relation to progressing the recommendations, Ireland's objective will be to ensure that there are clear formalised mandates, concepts standards and procedures in place but also that there is scope and flexibility to respond effectively in evolving situations.