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Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2021

Thursday, 18 November 2021

Questions (96, 134)

Patrick Costello

Question:

96. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Defence his plans to commit Irish personnel to serve in MINURSO. [56578/21]

View answer

Gary Gannon

Question:

134. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Defence the reason Ireland has withdrawn two officers from the MINURSO mission in Western Sahara; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56549/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 134 together.

In July this year, the decision was taken to withdraw the two Defence Forces' personnel deployed to the MINURSO mission. This followed a review of current overseas deployments and a proposal from the General Staff. The withdrawal of the personnel arose from a need identified by the General Staff to consolidate current operational deployments in the context of additional commitments by Ireland in recent years to peacekeeping operations including UNDOF, MINUSMA, EUTM Mali and EU CSDP Operation IRINI.

I can assure the Deputy that Ireland remains a strong supporter of the United Nations role and its engagement in the Western Sahara, including the role played by the MINURSO mission.

The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces constantly review the deployment of Irish personnel overseas. Any decision with regard to future deployments of Defence Forces personnel, including any possible return to MINURSO, would have to be considered by reference to a number of other considerations, including the resourcing of the mission and the level of existing commitments to other peacekeeping operations and security requirements at home.

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