Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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48. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Irish troops in Mali and in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24876/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed in two (2) separate missions in Mali. The Government has approved the continued provision of up to twenty (20) members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the EU mission to train the Malian Armed Forces in Mali, known as EUTM Mali, up to 22 March 2022. In addition, Government has approved the continued deployment of up to 14 Defence Forces personnel, drawn primarily from the Army Ranger Wing, to continue to participate in MINUSMA, the United Nations authorised operation in Mali, up until 30 September 2022.

Ireland has participated in EUTM Mali since the mission was launched in 2013. Defence Forces personnel are primarily deployed at Koulikoro and Bamako, and also deploy as part of Combined Mobile Advisory Training Teams across Mali.

Defence Forces personnel first deployed to MINUSMA in September 2019 as part of a joint deployment with German Armed Forces. Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed with the German Armed Forces at Camp Castor in GAO and in MINUSMA HQ in Bamako and carry out assigned tasks in accordance with the mission mandate.

Between July 2002 and March 2016 Defence Forces personnel served with the UN Mandated International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and with the follow on Resolute Support Mission (RSM). Ireland no longer has troops deployed in Afghanistan.

The Department of Defence reviews the deployment of Defence Forces Personnel overseas on an ongoing basis. Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis.