Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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437. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of military personnel currently serving overseas; the extent of any requirements for further deployment in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37056/20]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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438. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the strength of the deployment of Irish troops overseas on an annual basis over the past eight years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37057/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 438 together.

As of 04 November 2020, Ireland is contributing 569 Defence Forces personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations.

The main overseas missions in which the Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 340 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 MINUSMA, the UN authorised operation in Mali with 14 personnel; the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in Israel and Syria with 12 personnel; the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) with two (2) personnel, the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) with three (3) personnel; the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with 13 personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with five (5) personnel, the NATO-led international security presence  in Kosovo (KFOR) with 13 personnel and the EU Naval mission (Operation Irini) with three (3) personnel. 

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.

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).

The number of permanent Defence Force personnel deployed overseas on an annual basis, over the past eight years, is as follows:

Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed in the tabular statement below. 

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS

AS OF 04 NOVEMBER 2020