Written answers
Thursday, 25 March 2021
Department of Defence
Overseas Missions
John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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92. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of overseas missions in which the Defence Forces are currently involved; the number of personnel involved in each mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16257/21]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As of 2 March 2021, Ireland is contributing 568 personnel to 10 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 346 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 132 personnel. Ireland also contributes observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU, NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.
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).
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 02 MARCH 2021
| UN MISSIONS | |
|---|---|
| UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ UNIFIL 117th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL Sector West HQ | 8 334 4 |
| UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria | 12 |
| MINUSMA (United Nations mission in MALI) | 14 |
| MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) | 2 |
| MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic of the Congo) | 3 |
| UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff - Camp Faouar - Bravo side) UNDOF 62nd Infantry Group (Camp Faouar - Bravo side) | 8 124 |
| TOTAL | 509 |
| UN MANDATED MISSIONS | |
| EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 5 |
| EUTM Mali (EU-led Training Mission) | 19 |
| KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ | 13 |
| Naval Service EU Mission (Op Irini HQ) | 3 |
| TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS | 549 |
| ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) | |
| Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna | 1 |
| EU MILITARY STAFF | |
| Brussels | 6 |
| MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF | |
| Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York | 2 |
| Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna | 1 |
| Military Representative in PSC Delegation (Brussels) | 4 |
| Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels) | 3 |
| EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium | 1 |
| Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium | 1 |
| TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS | 568 |
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