Written answers

Thursday, 17 January 2019

Department of Defence

Overseas Missions

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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30. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which participation by the Defence Forces in international missions is envisaged in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1967/19]

Photo of Mick WallaceMick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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34. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there have been proposed new military operations or peacekeeping operations in the near future that will see the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas in view of his comments that it is a stated ambition to double Ireland’s global impact and footprint by 2025 and that military and peacekeeping operations play a role in this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2008/19]

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 34 together.

As of 10 January 2019, Ireland is contributing 678 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 460 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 138 personnel. The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon continues to represent Ireland's largest overseas deployment.

Until recently, Irish troops served as part of a joint Irish-Finnish Battalion in UNIFIL. The Finnish contingent also included an Estonian Platoon comprising some 36 personnel. Due to other National commitments both Finland and Estonia withdrew from the Irish-Finnish Battalion in UNIFIL in November 2018.

As an interim measure, an additional contingent of approximately 106 Defence Forces Personnel have been deployed to the UNIFIL mission to cover the backfilling of the Finnish contingent for a 12 month period. This additional commitment will continue throughout 2019 as Ireland has assumed full duties and responsibilities of IRISHBATT up to November 2019. Discussions are advancing with an alternative partner for this mission.

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

With regard to the deployment of Defence Forces personnel to new military operations overseas, the deployment of a small contingent of Army Ranger Wing personnel to the MINUSMA mission in Mali is under active consideration for 2019. MINUSMA is the UN mission providing support to the Malian Government in reasserting its authority over northern Mali. I must stress, however, that these considerations are at a very early stage and further detailed analysis and planning will be required in advance of seeking Government approval for a deployment.

The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment 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.

"Global Footprint to 2025", is the Government's initiative to double the scope and impact of Ireland's global footprint in the period to 2025. It represents an ambitious renewal and expansion of Ireland's international presence in terms of diplomacy, culture, business, overseas aid, tourism and trade. The initiative acknowledges the important role of the Defence Forces and security personnel serving on international assignments, in advancing these priorities for Ireland. It also acknowledges Ireland's longstanding tradition of international engagement in support of peace, security, justice and equality and reaffirms our commitment to maintaining and developing support for humanitarian and peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the UN and the EU.

Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS

AS OF 10 JANUARY 2019

UN MISSIONS
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ

UNIFIL 112th Infantry Battalion

UNIFIL Sector West HQ
9

443

8
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria12
MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara)3
MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic of the Congo) 4
UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff - Camp Faouar - Bravo side)

UNDOF 58th Infantry Group (Camp Faouar - Bravo side)
8

130
TOTAL617
UN MANDATED MISSIONS
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina)5
EUTM Mali (EU-led Training Mission) 20
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ 12
Naval Service EU Mission (Op Sophia)

Operational HQ/Floating HQ (Operation Sophia HQ - 3 in OHQ & 2 in FHQ)


5
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS659
ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE)
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna1
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH OSCE1
EU MILITARY STAFF
Brussels5
MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York1
Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna1
Military Representative to EU (Brussels)4
Liaison Officer of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels)2
EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium1
Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium3
Joint Technical Group for Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (JTGDDR) in Mozambique (part time basis)1
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS678

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