Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 November 2020
437. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of military personnel currently serving overseas; the extent of any requirements for further deployment in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37056/20]
View answer438. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the strength of the deployment of Irish troops overseas on an annual basis over the past eight years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37057/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 438 together.
As of 04 November 2020, Ireland is contributing 569 Defence Forces personnel to 10 different missions throughout the world and also to a range of international organisations and National representations.
The main overseas missions in which the Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 340 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 137 personnel.
Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are MINUSMA, the UN authorised operation in Mali with 14 personnel; the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) in Israel and Syria with 12 personnel; the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) with two (2) personnel, the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) with three (3) personnel; the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with 13 personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with five (5) personnel, the NATO-led international security presence in Kosovo (KFOR) with 13 personnel and the EU Naval mission (Operation Irini) with three (3) personnel.
The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
The number of permanent Defence Force personnel deployed overseas on an annual basis, over the past eight years, is as follows:
|
Year (January) |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Numbers deployed overseas |
438 |
412 |
426 |
423 |
603 |
589 |
678 |
589 |
Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed in the tabular statement below.
MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS
AS OF 04 NOVEMBER 2020
|
UN MISSIONS |
|
|
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ UNIFIL 116th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL Sector West HQ |
9 327 4 |
|
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria |
12 |
|
MINUSMA (United Nations mission in MALI) |
14 |
|
MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) |
2 |
|
MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic of the Congo) |
3 |
|
UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff - Camp Faouar - Bravo side) UNDOF 58th Infantry Group (Camp Faouar - Bravo side) |
9 128 |
|
TOTAL |
508 |
|
UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
|
|
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
5 |
|
EUTM Mali (EU-led Training Mission) |
13 |
|
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ |
13 |
|
Naval Service EU Mission (Op Irini HQ) |
3 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS |
542 |
|
|
|
|
ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) |
|
|
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna |
1 |
|
EU MILITARY STAFF |
|
|
Brussels |
6 |
|
EU BATTLE GROUP |
|
|
German Led Battle Group 202-2, FHQ, Stadtallendorf |
10 |
|
MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF |
|
|
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York |
1 |
|
Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna |
1 |
|
Military Representative in PSC Delegation (Brussels) |
4 |
|
Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels) |
3 |
|
EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
569 |
