Overseas Missions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016

Tuesday, 27 September 2016

Questions (26, 45)

Mick Wallace

Question:

26. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 579 of 21 June 2016, if he will provide details on the criteria involved in periodic reviews by his Department of the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas and the way these reviews are carried out; if he will provide details on the recent announcement that a new contingent of Irish troops will be joining the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights; if he is satisfied that this UN mission and the support for it are making a positive contribution to peace in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27139/16]

Clare Daly

Question:

45. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who will be deployed to the Golan Heights in the coming weeks, following the announcement on 19 September 2016 that a new contingent of troops would be joining the UNDOF mission in the near future; and his views on whether this deployment is a good use of Defence Forces capability. [27098/16]

Oral answers (12 contributions)

Deputy Mick Wallace

My question is a basic one. What criteria are examined in the periodic reviews by the Department on the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas? How are the reviews carried out? Will the Minister of State provide details on the recent announcement that a new contingent of Irish troops will be joining the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, mission to the Golan Heights? Is he satisfied with the mission and that it is making a positive contribution to peace in the Middle East?

Deputy Paul Kehoe

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 45 together.

A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force has been deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, on the Golan Heights since 2013. The next Irish contingent, the 54th infantry group, comprising 130 personnel, is due to be deployed in the coming weeks and will replace personnel of the 52nd infantry group. Irish personnel will be based in UNDOF headquarters in Camp Ziouani. The Irish contingent operates as a quick reaction force, which is on standby to assist with ongoing operations within the UNDOF area of responsibility. An additional seven Defence Forces personnel are deployed in UNDOF headquarters.

Since its temporary relocation from a number of positions in September 2014 and pending the time when it will return fully to the area of separation, UNDOF has continued to maintain a credible presence in the Golan Heights and use its best efforts to implement its mandate. In this context, UNDOF continues to engage with the parties on practical arrangements to allow the force to continue to maintain the ceasefire, monitor, verify and report on violations of the agreement on the disengagement of forces and exercise its crucial liaison functions with the parties in order to implement its mandate.

The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas and these missions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The continued participation in overseas operations, such as the UNDOF mission, is subject to Government decision on an annual basis. The presence of the UNDOF mission remains an important element in ensuring stability in the Golan Heights and Middle East. On 21 June 2016, the Government approved continued participation by the Defence Forces in UNDOF for a further 12 months.

I am satisfied that the work carried out by the Irish personnel serving with UNDOF represents an important contribution to this UN mission.

Deputy Mick Wallace

The former Minister responsible for defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, always contended that the purpose of the mission is to keep Syria and Israel apart. It has been successful in achieving that objective but the truth is that the original objective was to oversee the eventual return of the Golan Heights to Syria. Some 40 years later, the objective has not been achieved. If one wanted a more striking demonstration of that failure, one would need look no further than at the fact that the objective has been forgotten and there is no sign that the illegal occupation of the Golan Heights by Israel will ever end. The Israeli Prime Minister, Mr. Netanyahu, recently said the Golan Heights will remain in the hands of Israel forever. Israel is not afraid to flout international law in hammering home the point.

Genie Energy, an American oil company whose main investors include Dick Cheney, Rupert Murdoch, James Woolsey, a fromer CIA director, Larry Summers, former head of the US Treasury, and a cabal of current and former US politicians, has recently been granted permission to drill in the Golan Heights, posing a massive danger to water resources in the region. This is hardly a worthwhile exercise warranting the involvement of Irish troops when we could be doing something really fruitful in Africa, in places such as Darfur, Congo and South Sudan, as argued by Mr. Ed Horgan.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

I assure the Deputy that the continued presence of UNDOF in the area remains essential. The UN Secretary General has reported to the Security Council that both Israel and the Syrian Arab Republic have stated their continued commitment to the disengagement of forces agreement and to support the presence of UNDOF in calling for a return to vacated positions in the area of separation. The UN Security Council has generally agreed that UNDOF contributes to stability in the region in the absence of a peace agreement between Israel and Syria.

In June 2016, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of UNDOF for a further six months, until 31 December 2016, since its temporary relocation in September 2014 from a number of positions in the area of separation. UNDOF has continued to use its best efforts to implement its mandate. The mission continues to be supported by the United Nations through a military supervision organisation, Observer Group Golan, in which five Irish officers are serving.

The deputy chief of staff, Major Kieran Brennan, was in the Golan Heights last week. I will receive a full brief from him later this week on his visit. I am happy with and have witnessed the work of the Irish Defence Forces in the Golan Heights. We should all be very proud of the Defence Forces in this regard.

Deputy Clare Daly

I am not sure what way the Leas-Cheann Comhairle is doing this.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

The Deputy has a question.

Deputy Clare Daly

I thought we had done away with groupings.

Can I add to the topic? We are very clear as to the excellent peacekeeping role played by Irish Defence Forces personnel in many parts around the globe. The point, however, is that this reputation is being used to legitimise the illegal occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights and the illegal activities of Israel. That land is now being used for oil drilling and profiteering.

Rather than focusing on a region blighted by problems, we could be doing a lot better in other areas. It is just not on. It is disrespectful to the Defence Forces personnel, who really do not engage in any serious peacekeeping in the region. They are really just there as a cover for the illegal activity. There are many parts around the globe where their expertise could really be used, such as the Congo, as referred to by Deputy Wallace. There are other areas where they could make a serious difference. I am really concerned that we are continuing with our policy in this regard.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

When Ireland or the Government sends any members of the Irish Defence Forces on any mission, the decision is not taken lightly. I do not accept the Deputy's views on this, although I agree with her absolutely that we should be very proud of the work of the Defence Forces. The Irish peacekeepers currently in the region will be replaced next week. They are doing a great job holding the peace in a very difficult and volatile part of the world.

Following the agreed disengagement of Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights in May 1974, under supervised implementation of the engagement agreement, they have been maintaining the area of separation between Israel and the Syrian forces which, as the Deputy knows, is small but very volatile. The resources of the Defence Forces on the Golan Heights are being utilised to the very best extent possible.

Deputy Mick Wallace

The Minister of State referred to the need for stability and observation, but how can stability be brought to a situation where one country illegally occupies another? That is called picking sides. There are enough problems in the region caused by picking sides, between the United States and its allies and Russia and its allies. Some 250,000 people have died in Syria as a result of their taking sides. If they all fell out with each other, the place would be better off.

Likewise, we do not have a real role to play on the Golan Heights. The Minister of State referred to the need for observation. What we are observing is an ongoing illegal occupation and we will now observe the theft of natural resources and, effectively, multiple breaches of international law.

I again refer the Minister of State to the UN peacekeeper Ed Horgan who is a very proud member of the Defence Forces. He has pointed out that it would be much more sensible and worthwhile for our very excellent forces to engage in Darfur, the Congo and South Sudan.

Deputy Paul Kehoe

The mandate and role of UNDOF are pursued under the supervised implementation of the disengagement agreement in maintaining an area of separation of over 75 km between Israeli and Syrian forces. I have spoken on numerous occasions to quite a number of Irish personnel serving on the Golan Heights. They have told me at first hand about the important work they are carrying out on a daily basis on each and every mission. I understand the work they are carrying out and I am very proud of the work they are doing. They go there as peacekeepers. That is exactly the work our troops are doing on a daily basis in carrying out their duties.

Deputy Clare Daly

The Minister of State has said their mission is to keep the sides apart. There is no doubt that the area has been relatively quiet. However, does the Minister of State agree that that is beginning to change? There have been tensions along the border. Words on alleged mortar attacks from Syria are being spoken and published in the Israeli press. There has been retaliation by the Israeli air force. The situation is likely to change, given the instability in the region. On that basis, what would the Minister of State say about the recent mission?

Deputy Paul Kehoe

A decision by the Government to send troops overseas is not taken lightly. As I stated, the deputy chief of staff, Mr. Kieran Brennan, has just returned from the Golan Heights and I will receive a full briefing from him later this week. No absolute guarantees can be given about the safety of troops travelling abroad on any mission. I refer to the work of the Defence Forces in their role as peacekeepers on the Golan Heights where I accept that there is now a little more activity. I believe our troops who are working as peacekeepers are doing a fine job.