Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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93. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current level of deployment and location of Irish troops overseas on UN or EU-related missions; the extent to which further missions are planned or required; the extent to which the need for upgrading of equipment has been noted arising from such deployment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40312/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As of 01 October 2018, Ireland is contributing 616 personnel to 9 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL)with 353 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 128 personnel and the Naval Service EU Naval Mission (Operation Sophia) with 61 personnel.

Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are shown in the tabular statement beneath.

The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon continues to represent Ireland's largest overseas deployment with 353 personnel and on 22 May 2018 the Government approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in UNIFIL for a further 12 month period.

Irish troops are currently serving as part of a joint Irish-Finnish Battalion in UNIFIL. Since May 2015 the Finnish contingent has included an Estonian Platoon comprising some 36 personnel. Due to other National commitments both Finland and Estonia intend to withdraw from the Irish-Finnish Battalion in UNIFIL by 31 December 2018.

Efforts are on-going to source a partner country to replace the Finnish contingent but, in the interim, I have approved the additional deployment of approximately 106 Defence Forces Personnel to the UNIFIL mission to cover the backfilling of the absent Finnish contingent for a 12 month period from November 2018 to November 2019.

The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions are equipped with the most modern and effective equipment to carry out their mission. The Defence Forces equipment is upgraded on a continual basis. This equipment enables troops to fulfil the roles assigned to them, as well as providing the required protection specific to the mission.

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS

AS OF 01 OCTOBER 2018