I propose to take Questions Nos. 116, 117 and 120 together.
The White Paper on Defence, published in February 2000, commits the Government to sustaining the overall level of Ireland's contribution to peacekeeping, while developing a more selective approach to future requests from the United Nations having regard to the number, size, nature and complexity of its current peacekeeping operations.
Requests from the UN for Irish participation in new missions are dealt with under the United Nations Stand-by Arrangements System (UNSAS) on a case-by-case basis. Among the factors taken into account by Ireland when considering any particular request are the following:
- The degree of risk involved.
- The extent to which the required skills or characteristics relate to Irish capabilities.
- Whether the operation is adequately resourced.
- The level of existing commitments to peacekeeping operations and security requirements at home.
The decision by Government to send troops overseas is never taken lightly. The safety of all Irish Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions is always a concern to me, my Government colleagues and to the military authorities. Ongoing threat assessments are carried out in mission areas and we continually review both personal equipment and force assets, to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfil their roles. While no mission is without risk I am satisfied that appropriate security measures are in place for all Defence Forces personnel serving overseas.
Troops selected for overseas service, including those currently deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) mission, undergo a rigorous programme of mission specific training, which included Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear training. Such training, which is updated on an ongoing basis in the light of increased threat, has been designed to allow Defence Force personnel to carry out their tasks and to provide for their protection. Defence Forces personnel serving on all overseas missions are equipped with the most modern and effective equipment. This equipment enables troops to carry out the roles assigned, as well as providing the required protection specific to the mission.
As regards Defence Forces participation in the UNDOF mission, the civil war in Syria has demanded changes to the manner in which the mission carries out its current mandate. Indeed, the ongoing viability of the mission has been called into question by recent events in the mission area. While Ireland remains committed to the mission, at the same time, I have requested that the UN fundamentally review the capacity of the mission to fulfil its mandate in the light of the ongoing civil war in Syria. I have personally discussed the review with the Under Secretary General in the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The UN Security Council will be briefed on the mission in detail today by the UN Secretary-General and the views of the Force Commander about the future structure of the mission will also be taken into account during this Security Council session.
