Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 February 2015
22. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence his views regarding the current status of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force mission in the Golan Heights; and if he is satisfied with the continued involvement of personnel of the Irish Defence Forces in this operation. [6886/15]
View answerAt the request of the United Nations, following Government and Dáil Éireann approval, a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights in Syria since 2013.
The current Irish contingent, the 46th Infantry Group, is based in UNDOF Headquarters in Camp Ziouani. It operates in the role of a Quick Reaction Force, which is on standby to assist with on-going operations within the UNDOF Area of Responsibility. Eight (8) other Defence Forces personnel are also deployed in UNDOF Headquarters, including the Deputy Force Commander, Brigadier General Anthony Hanlon.
Following the significant events in August 2014 in the area of separation, there was a fundamental realignment of the UNDOF mission with a view to minimizing unacceptable risks to peacekeepers, while continuing to implement the mission’s mandate. Most UNDOF personnel are now deployed on the Israeli side of the area of separation. The UN provides regular updates on the mission to the Security Council in this regard. The presence of the UNDOF mission remains an important element in ensuring stability on the Golan Heights and in the Middle East region.
Participation in overseas missions is reviewed by the Government on an annual basis. On the 17th June 2014, the Government approved continued participation in the UNDOF mission for a period of twelve months up to June 2015. I intend to bring proposals to Government in due course for the continued participation by the Defence Forces in the mission beyond June 2015, subject to the renewal of the UN authority for the mission.
