Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 September 2023
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which Irish troops are likely to be called upon to continue to serve overseas in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42083/23]
View answerIreland has always been and continues to be 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 Government will consider any request that Ireland may receive to participation in any existing or new peacekeeping missions. All such requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Any decision with regard to future deployments of Defence Forces personnel 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.
It is difficult to anticipate when Ireland might next expect to be invited to participate in an overseas mission. While there have been 71 UN-mandated missions since 1948, only 13 remain in operation today and only two such missions were approved as new operations in the last decade. No new peacekeeping missions have been approved by the Security Council since 2014. This, in turn, has implications for Ireland’s continued engagement in peacekeeping and potentially narrows the opportunity for participation in peacekeeping missions abroad.
I would also recall that the Government has approved the Defence Forces' participation in the German-led EU Battlegroup, which will involve a two-year commitment from 1 January 2024. The decision to participate in the EU Battlegroup does not presume any further decision in relation to deployment to participate in an actual Battlegroup operation. Any such decision is subject to national decision-making procedures which in Ireland’s case, means the “triple lock” of a UN Mandate and Dáil and Government approval.
The statutory authority for the despatch of contingents of the Permanent Defence Force for service overseas is set out in Section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 1960 as amended by the Defence (Amendment) Act, 2006.
