Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Overseas Missions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 November 2012

Wednesday, 7 November 2012

Ceisteanna (12, 32, 168)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Ceist:

12. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he expects the Defence Forces to undertake any new United Nations missions in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48470/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

32. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence the number of countries across the world in which members of the Defence Forces are serving; and the requests he may be considering in other countries and new missions. [48466/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the total number of military personnel serving overseas on various missions UN or otherwise in each of the past four years to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49032/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 32 and 168 together.

Ireland has offered, through the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements System (UNSAS), to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This demonstrates Ireland’s commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable commitment that Ireland can make to overseas peacekeeping operations. with smaller contributions in Kosovo, Bosnia Herzegovina, Afghanistan and EUTM Somalia.

Ireland is also currently participating in the Austro-German led Battlegroup which is on stand-by from 1 July 2012 to 31 December 2012. Defence Forces personnel are currently serving in peacekeeping operations in 11 countries throughout the world.

The average monthly figures for Defence Forces personnel involved in UN-led and UN mandated missions for the years 2008 -2011 breaks down as follows:

Year

Average Number

2008

660 personnel

2009

744 personnel

2010

412 personnel

2011

337 personnel

The average monthly figure so far for 2012 is 477 personnel. This does not include the 175 personnel currently assigned to the EU Battlegroup.

As regards future deployment of Defence Forces overseas, 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 existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution, consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy and the degree of risk involved are amongst the factors considered.

Ireland has received an invitation from the Operational Commander of Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA to contribute an Autonomous Vessel Protection Detachment (AVPD) to the Operation. This operation is the EU’s first maritime operation which contributes to improving maritime security off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean. The Defence organisation is currently considering whether it will be in a position to contribute an AVPD to this operation.

The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. However, following the deployment of a Battalion to UNIFIL since mid-2011, it is not anticipated that there will be any major deployments of troops to further missions in the foreseeable future. However, the potential for deploying smaller groups of personnel and military observers in support of UN mandated operations will continue to be examined positively, as such requests arise.

Barr
Roinn