Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 June 2013
55. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the decision of the Austrian Government to recall its troops serving on the UN mission in the Golan Heights after the European Union decided not to renew its arms embargo on Syria; and if he has discussed it with his Austrian counterpart. [30767/13]
View answerThe escalation of the Syrian conflict has had a direct impact on the operation of United Nations peacekeeping missions in the region and the safety of personnel at these missions. Both of the United Nations peacekeeping missions operating in Syria and neighbouring countries, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO), have experienced direct fire on their personnel and facilities. Groups of peacekeepers serving with the UNDOF mission have on two occasions been detained for prolonged periods by armed elements. I condemn all attacks on, or threats against, United Nations peacekeepers, for which there can be no justification.
Austria has served for many years in UNDOF but has decided, in the light of current conditions, to withdraw its troops from that operation. While I have not discussed this with my Austrian counterpart, I fully respect the decision of the Austrian Government.
The priority for the United Nations is to strengthen the UNDOF mission, which is now quite exposed as the confrontation between Government and opposition forces in Syria spills over into the Golan Heights area. As a measure of our support for the United Nations’ peacekeeping missions, Ireland responded positively to a request received last April to provide personnel for the UNDOF headquarters. Three members of the Permanent Defence Force were recently deployed to the mission and a fourth member will be deployed to UNDOF in the coming weeks. I think that there will be particular appreciation on the part of the UN for Ireland’s willingness to provide personnel in these difficult and dangerous circumstances.
