Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 March 2023
26. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide details on his decision to withdraw Irish troops from the UNDOF mission to Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14315/23]
View answer28. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the reason for the withdrawal of the Defence Forces from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF). [14170/23]
View answer39. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide details of the UN-mandated peace missions from which Irish Defence Forces are being withdrawn; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13975/23]
View answer51. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will outline the rationale for the Irish Defence Forces personnel being withdrawn from the peacekeeping mission in Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13381/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 28, 39 and 51 together.
As of 1 March 2023, some 546 Irish Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed overseas. The main overseas missions are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 344 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 133 personnel.
The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces jointly review the overseas deployment of Defence Forces personnel on an ongoing basis. Following the conclusion of an assessment of Defence Forces’ current commitments and on the basis of the military advice available to me, I have decided to withdraw the 130-strong Infantry Group personnel from UNDOF with effect from April 2024.
When assessing the sustainability of our overseas commitments, all missions and operations are reviewed. There are always a number of considerations that inform a decision of this nature and importance and such decisions are not taken lightly.
One of those considerations relates to the Government’s approval of the Defence Forces' participation in the EU Battlegroup, given the assets and capabilities that will be necessary to support such participation.
The withdrawal of troops from UNDOF will allow the Defence Forces an opportunity to undertake a process of consolidation with regard to their overseas commitments and to prepare for future peace-keeping missions. It will also relieve ongoing challenges in respect of the filling of specialist roles in overseas deployments. It will reduce the requirement for mandatory selection of personnel in certain ranks or skill sets and it will facilitate personnel to participate in training and personal development activities to increase skill levels. The decision will also present some challenges, in terms of reduced opportunities for overseas deployments and allowances for personnel.
The United Nations Department of Peace Operations has been advised of our decision to withdraw .Infantry Group personnel from UNDOF. Subject to the United Nation's agreement, I hope that Ireland can continue to occupy a number of staff officer positions in UNDOF headquarters.
