Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the missions abroad the Defence Forces are involved in; if they are all under the aegis of the United Nations; the number of personnel on each mission; the criteria used in selecting each mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47065/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As of 2 September 2021, Ireland is contributing 574 personnel to 9 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 349 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 134 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).

The conditions under which the Defence Forces may participate on overseas peace support operations are set out in the Defence Acts.  Where the Defence Forces contingent comprises part of an International United Nations Force, the conditions, known as the “triple lock”, must be satisfied, that is the operation must be authorised/mandated by the United Nations; it must be approved by the Government; and it must be approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann, where the size of a Defence Forces contribution is more than twelve personnel. No Dáil Éireann approval is required where members of the Defence Forces are deployed in a training role, which is consistent with the provisions of Section 3(1)(b) and 3 (1)(d) of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 2006.

Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. When considering any particular request, the following factors are taken into account:

- An assessment of whether a peacekeeping operation is the most appropriate response.

- Consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy.

- The degree of risk involved.

- The extent to which the required skills or characteristics relate to Irish capabilities.

- The existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution.

- Whether the operation is adequately resourced. 

- The level of existing commitments to peacekeeping operations and security requirements at home. 

The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces Personnel overseas.  The changing nature of demands and potential future mission profiles need to be considered in the context of assets and capabilities which can be made available by the Defence Forces for overseas deployment, given existing operational demands at home and overseas.

Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed in the following table. 

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS

AS OF 1 September 2021