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Overseas Missions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 May 2013

Tuesday, 28 May 2013

Questions (544)

Robert Dowds

Question:

544. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Defence the extent of Irish United Nations involvement in Syria at present; the numbers of personnel involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25122/13]

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Written answers

Currently, eight members of the Permanent Defence Force, who are deployed to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation, UNTSO, serve in Syria as part of observer group Golan in support of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF. These appointments include two which were previously held by Irish personnel in Damascus until October 2012, when the security situation deteriorated in Syria and the two personnel were relocated by UNTSO to UNDOF headquarters at Camp Faouar in the Golan Heights. All Irish personnel currently serving in Syria are safe and well and are operating out of Camp Faouar.

On 14 May 2013, the Government approved the deployment of a number of members of the Permanent Defence Force for service at the headquarters of UNDOF. The UNDOF mission was established by the United Nations on 31 May 1974 under United Nations Security Council Resolution 350 (1974) following the agreed disengagement of the Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights in May 1974. Since 1974, the mandate of UNDOF has been renewed every six months.

Irish personnel are due to deploy into the mission area circa 15 June 2013. The Irish contribution to the mission will comprise a total of three personnel - two officers and one senior non-commissioned officer - to staff officer appointments in the information analysis cell in the headquarters of the mission at Camp Faouar in Syria. Irish personnel will serve tours of duty of twelve months in duration. UNDOF makes an important contribution to stability in the Middle East and participation by the Defence Forces in this mission will be a tangible demonstration of Ireland’s support for the United Nations in the challenging operating conditions it faces in the region.

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