Vol. 552 No. 1
27 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the plans there are for the participation of Irish troops in a peacekeeping force in Afghanistan; if he has satisfied himself that an appropriate UN mandate is in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11778/02]
The question of Defence Forces participation in overseas missions is kept under regular review. Requests from the UN for Irish participation in new missions are considered on a case by case basis within the context of the United Nations stand-by arrangement system, UNSAS. As I have indicated previously, in October 1998 Ireland signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations in relation to UNSAS. Ireland has committed up to 850 military personnel for UN service at any one time under this system. There would, however, be no obligation to participate in any particular mission and Dáil approval would be required for the despatch of a contingent to a specific operation. The decision to participate in UNSAS is a tangible expression of Ireland's continuing commitment to involvement in peacekeeping operations.
On 20 December 2001, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1386 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter authorising the deployment of an international security assistance force, ISAF, in Afghanistan for six months to assist in the maintenance of security in Kabul and the surrounding areas, so that the Afghan Interim Authority and the personnel of the United Nations can operate in a secure environment. Acting under chapter VII of the UN Charter means that the ISAF, the lead nation of which is the United Kingdom, is authorised to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate.
I am agreeable in principle to the deployment of members of the Defence Forces to ISAF, subject to a full assessment of all the attendant factors. In this regard, a Defence Forces assessment team, comprising three personnel, will undertake a fact-finding visit to Afghanistan in the near future during which discussions will be held with the lead nation, the United Kingdom, to establish whether a suitable role can be identified for Defence Forces personnel. A security assessment will also be carried out by the team taking account of the situation on the ground at the time.
28 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of Irish military personnel currently located overseas or likely to be so deployed in the context of the Programme for Peace or other military operations, excluding involvement with the UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11860/02]
A total of 212 Irish military personnel are currently serving overseas, excluding those who are serving with the United Nations. This figure comprises a total of 171 personnel serving in SFOR and KFOR. These operations are NATO-led peace support operations acting under UN authorisation. A further 13 personnel are participating in the EU monitoring mission to the former Yugoslavia. An additional 13 Irish military personnel hold positions in the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and a total of 12 hold positions within the European Union and the liaison office of Ireland to Partnership for Peace. Finally, three officers are on secondment as military advisers to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
A further 307 personnel are serving on United Nations missions, mainly in Ethiopia-Eritrea, East Timor, and the Middle East. Full details of all military personnel serving overseas are as listed in the tabular statement which will be published in the Official Report.
Members of the Permanent Defence Force serving overseas with effect from 2 April 2002
|
UN Missions |
Number |
|
UNIFIL |
|
|
(United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) |
11 |
|
UNTSO |
|
|
(United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) – Israel, Syria and Lebanon |
13 |
|
UNFICYP |
|
|
(United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus) |
6 |
|
UNIKOM |
|
|
(United Nations Iraq Kuwait Observer Mission) |
6 |
|
MINURSO |
|
|
(United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) |
3 |
|
UNMIK |
|
|
(United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) |
3 |
|
UNMOP |
|
|
(United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka) |
2 |
|
UNTAET |
|
|
(United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor) |
44 |
|
UNMEE |
|
|
(United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea) |
217 |
|
MONUC |
|
|
(United Nations Mission in Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
2 |
|
UN Mandated Missions |
|
|
SFOR |
|
|
Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina – SFOR HQ Sarajevo |
59 |
|
KFOR |
|
|
International Security Presence in Kosovo |
112 |
|
EU Missions |
|
|
European Union Monitor Mission (EUMM) to the former Yugoslavia |
|
|
Bosnia |
7 |
|
Kosovo |
2 |
|
Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia (FYROM) |
3 |
|
Serbia |
1 |
|
Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) |
|
|
OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina |
5 |
|
OSCE Mission in Croatia |
2 |
|
OSCE Mission in Kosovo |
1 |
|
OSCE Presence in Albania |
1 |
|
OSCE Mission in FRY |
1 |
|
OSCE Mission in Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia (FYROM) |
2 |
|
Staff Officer, Higher Level Planning Group, Vienna |
1 |
|
UN Missions |
Number |
|
European Union and the Liaison Office of Ireland to Partnership for Peace |
|
|
Head of Military Staff – PfP, NATO, Western European Union, EU (Brussels) |
1 |
|
Military Representatives to EU/WEU (Brussels) |
2 |
|
Liaison Office of Ireland, Partnership for Peace (Brussels) |
3 |
|
Military Representative to Partnership Co-ordination Cell/Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
EU Military Staff |
5 |
|
Military Representative/Advisers (on secondment to Dept. Of Foreign Affairs |
|
|
Military Advisers, Permanent Mission to UNHQ, New York |
1 |
|
Deputy Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UNHQ, New York |
1 |
|
Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna |
1 |
|
Total number of Defence Forces personnel serving overseas |
519 |
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
