Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which Irish troops continue to serve overseas on EU or UN-related missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28041/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As of 30 May 2018, Ireland is contributing 643 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 376 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 137 personnel.

Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the EU Common Security and Defence Policy mission, Operation Sophia with 60 personnel; the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with 20 personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with five (5) personnel and the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 12 personnel. Ireland also contributes observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters.

Ireland has a long and continuous record of contributing to peacekeeping missions. Participation in these missions demonstrates Ireland's strong support for the role of the United Nations in international peacekeeping.