Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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563. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of Ireland’s participation in UNDOF and the UN decision to reoccupy the area of separation; the strategic concerns that exist for Irish deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40582/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) was established on 31 May 1974 by the United Nations Security Council Resolution 350 (1974), following the agreed disengagement of the Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights in May 1974. Since 1974, the mandate of UNDOF has been renewed every six months, most recently renewed in June 2016 until 31 December 2016 under UNSCR 2294 (2016). 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 current Irish contingent, the 54th Infantry Group, comprising 130 personnel, is based in Camp Ziouani on the Israeli side of the Area of Separation. It operates in the role of a Quick Reaction Force, which is on standby to assist with on-going operations within the UNDOF Area of Responsibility. Six (6) other Defence Forces personnel are also deployed in UNDOF Headquarters, five (5) in Camp Ziouani and one in Yafour.

Since its temporary relocation from a number of positions in September 2014 and pending the time when UNDOF returns fully to the area of separation, UNDOF has, in line with its mandate from UNSCR 350 continued to maintain credible presence in the Golan and use its best efforts to implement its mandate. UNDOF continues to engage with the parties on practical arrangements to allow the Force to continue to maintain the ceasefire, monitor, verify and report on violations of the Disengagement of Forces Agreement and exercise its critical liaison functions with the parties in order to implement its mandate. On 14 November 2016, UNDOF completed the initial phase of the incremental return of the mission to Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the Area of Separation where Fijian and Nepalese troops are now based.

The Irish 54th Infantry Group is carrying out its normal operations. As with all missions, the UNDOF mission is kept under ongoing review, taking into account the area of operation and the wider region.