Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2023
348. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on his Department’s participation with the UN Disengagement Observer Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15118/23]
View answerAs 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.
In relation to UNDOF, Permanent Defence Force personnel have been deployed to this UN mission since 2013. Defence Forces personnel comprise an Infantry Group of approximately 130 personnel and 6 staff in UNDOF Headquarters Personnel are based in Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the area of separation. The role of the Irish Infantry Group includes the provision of a Quick Reaction Force which is on standby to assist with the on-going operations within the UNDOF area of responsibility. The Irish Infantry Group is also tasked with carrying out patrols and convoy escorts as necessary.
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.
The decision to withdraw personnel from the UNDOF mission has been taken to allow the Defence Forces to undertake a process of consolidation with regard to their overseas commitments and to prepare for future peace-keeping missions as well as to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capacity available to fulfil their commitment to the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025.
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, my intention is that Ireland can continue to occupy a number of staff officer positions in UNDOF headquarters.
