Written answers

Thursday, 9 March 2023

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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246. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to list the NATO training exercises that the Defence Forces have participated in over the past five years; where these exercises have taken place, and what units of the Defence Forces were involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12025/23]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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247. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence what specific types of NATO training exercises the Defence Forces have participated in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12026/23]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.

In the last five years, the Defence Forces participated in one NATO-led training exercise - the "Cyber Coalition" training exercise in Estonia in 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022.

The aim of this exercise is to enhance coordination, cooperation and information sharing across the Cyber Space domain. Cyber Coalition presents a very real opportunity for the Defence Forces to enhance its capability and training in this increasingly important domain.

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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248. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the review of Defence Forces participation in UN missions was carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12027/23]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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249. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence who participated in, and who oversaw, the review of Defence Forces participation in UN missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12028/23]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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250. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence how long the review into Defence Forces participation into UN missions took; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12029/23]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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251. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the review into Defence Forces participation considered withdrawing Irish troops from the UNIFIL mission to Lebanon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12030/23]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 248, 249, 250 and 251 together.

In all, over 550 Irish Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed overseas. The main overseas missions are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 344 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 133 personnel.

The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces jointly review the overseas deployment of Defence Forces personnel on an ongoing basis. At the time of the recent Government Decision that the Defence Forces should join the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025, I advised the Government that this decision would require a reassessment of the Defence Forces’ current overseas commitments and the likely withdrawal of personnel and equipment from an existing overseas mission. That reassessment of the sustainability of overseas commitments was undertaken by officials in my Department together with colleagues in the Defence Forces.

Following the conclusion of this joint assessment and on the basis of the military advice available to me, I have decided to withdraw the Infantry Group personnel from UNDOF.

There are always a number of considerations that inform a decision of this nature and importance and such decisions are not taken lightly.

One of those considerations relates to the Government’s approval of the Defence Forces' participation in the EU Battlegroup, given the assets and capabilities that will be necessary to support such participation. It will allow the Defence Forces an opportunity to undertake a process of consolidation with regard to their overseas commitments and to prepare for future peace-keeping missions.

The United Nations Department of Peace Operations has been advised of this decision and the precise date of the withdrawal of the approximately 130-strong Infantry Group will now be the subject of discussion with the United Nations, given our anxiety to ensure that the decision does not negatively impact on the mission.

Subject to the UN's agreement, I hope that Ireland can continue to occupy a number of staff officer positions in UNDOF headquarters.

Ireland has participated in the UNIFIL mission in Lebanon in various guises since its establishment in 1978 and it continues to represent Ireland's largest overseas deployment. The Irish contingent serves as part of a joint Ireland/Poland Battalion, with smaller numbers of additional personnel provided by both Hungary and Malta.

When assessing the sustainability of our overseas commitments, all missions and operations are reviewed. During my recent visit to Lebanon, I reiterated the Irish Government’ commitment to the maintenance of peace and security in Lebanon through our continued participation in UNIFIL.

Following the withdrawal of troops from UNDOF, the UNIFIL mission will become the primary focus of Army resources and operations overseas. I have asked the Defence Forces to explore the possibility of providing for a modest increase in our troop contribution to the UNIFIL mission, though this too is something that will need to be discussed and agreed with the United Nations.

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