Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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66. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department is considering redeploying peacekeepers to UNDOF in the next two years, considering the wind down of UNIFIL and expected increases in numbers of Defence Forces personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49297/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces has participated in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights since 2013, and they continue to maintain a presence in the Mission, in terms of maintaining three personnel in staff officer and observer roles. The Deputy will be aware that in April 2024, following a review of overseas deployments, the Defence Forces withdrew the Mission’s Force Reserve Company of 133 personnel, after which the Force Reserve Company role was assumed by Kazakhstan. The mandate of that Mission was recently extended until 31st December 2025.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the current contribution of some 434 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.

With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland considers the policy and political context and can also receive requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions which are considered on a case-by-case basis. Any decision to deploy is made on the basis of policy advice and on the changing nature of demands and potential future mission profiles, as well as the assets and capabilities which can be made available by the Defence Forces for overseas deployment, given existing operational demands at home and overseas.

The changing nature of demands and potential future mission profiles must also be considered in the context of assets and capabilities that need to be acquired for overseas deployments, that are becoming more challenging in the current security environment. The impact of the current liquidity crisis at UN level also plays a role here. It is not clear as yet what impact this will have on current Mission budgets, but this adds a further complicating factor in terms of potential other or future overseas deployments.