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).
Ireland has a proud tradition of participation in UN and UN-authorised peace operations, as the only country with an unbroken record of service in UN peacekeeping missions since 1958. Our peacekeepers are recognised internationally for their expertise and experience.
Under the UN Charter, the UN Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In fulfilling its mandate, the Security Council may adopt a range of measures, including the establishment of a UN peace mission or the authorisation of action by a group of States or a regional organisation, such as the European Union or the African Union.
The five permanent members of the Council can use their veto power to prevent the Security Council from taking decisions, including those related to the mandates of peacekeeping operations. In practice, the threat of a veto by a permanent member, rather than its actual use, is often enough to prevent the Council from taking action.
UN Member States are invited to contribute the personnel required for UN peacekeeping operations. The Government decides on a case-by-case basis whether, when and how to commit Defence Forces personnel to peacekeeping operations authorised by the UN Security Council. Ireland would only take such a decision after a Mission has been established or authorised by the Security Council.
Ireland has consistently opposed all use of the veto. During our most recent Security Council term from 2021-2022, the veto was used on a number of occasions to prevent the Council from taking action on critical issues. In December 2021, Russia vetoed a draft resolution on Climate and Security, an initiative of Ireland and Niger that had the support of 113 UN Member States. Since February 2022, Russia has used its veto power to prevent the Council from taking action to end its illegal war in Ukraine.
The deployment of Defence Forces' personnel to overseas missions, whether UN, EU or NATO-led missions, is always done pursuant to the provisions of the Defence Acts.
The so-called “Triple Lock” mechanism, sets out the requirements for the deployment of more than 12 members of the Defence Forces for peacekeeping operations overseas. It is provided for in law, notably in the Defence (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1960 and the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006, as amended.
The legislation provides that:
• the operation must be mandated by the United Nations;
• it must be approved by the Government; and
• it must be approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann (with certain limited exceptions as outlined below).
The Defence Acts require that the peacekeeping operation be one that is mandated by the United Nations, which in almost all cases means approval of a given resolution by the UN Security Council. these resolutions also provide endorsement at UN level for peacekeeping and conflict-prevention operations led by regional organisations, such as military missions under EU CSDP.
In the period between the enactment of the Defence (Amendment) Act 1960 and the dissolution of the USSR in December 1991, the Defence Forces participated in approx. eighteen UN Missions, of which they are still participating in two (UNDOF and UNIFIL).
More recently, the Defence Forces have participated in a number of UN-mandated EU or NATO-led missions, including EUFOR TCHAD/RCA (2006-2007), EUFOR RD Congo (2006-2007), EUFOR BiH (2004-), Operation IRINI (2020-), SFOR (1997-2004), KFOR (1999-).
