Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 June 2020
4. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces replacing those serving on UNIFIL missions by rotation will serve the full length of missions and receive allowable expenses and allowances that would be associated with a full mission on overseas duty in view of his announcement of a return date for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9653/20]
View answerAs part of its response to the global Covid pandemic, on 5 April, 2020 the United Nations Secretary General directed the suspension of all rotations and leave for military personnel serving in UN missions until 30 June. The suspension was based on the protection of local communities as well as that of the peacekeepers during the Covid pandemic.
On foot of the subsequent efforts of the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Department Foreign Affairs and Trade, a number of rotations of Irish Defence Forces personnel have been successfully concluded. While the rotation of troops to and from UNIFIL, which was to take place mid-May, has been delayed as a result of the UN suspension, Ireland has secured an exemption and approval for a rotation of the full contingent in June, during the UN moratorium.
The UN has recently advised that transitional measures will apply in the following six month period, July to December 2020, which will include a partial resumption of rotations with rigorous quarantine requirements and periodic reviews built into the process.
While the Defence Forces have advised that the duration of the next UNIFIL deployment will be shorter than the normal six months duration, the full impact of Covid 19 on future rotations continues to be examined by my Department with the Defence Forces. As you will appreciate, the health and welfare of Defence Forces personnel serving overseas remains our primary concern at this time.
