Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
165. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how the current peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts will continue to be the core of the international reputation of the Defence Forces, especially with climate change becoming an ever-increasing security threat across the world; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42605/23]
View answerIreland 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.
In conjunction with their participation in peace support missions, the Irish Defence Forces have been involved in humanitarian activities overseas for many years. Irish Aid makes funding available towards the support of micro-project activities that are undertaken with the support of Irish Battalions. For example, in UNIFIL the Defence Forces have provided support to the orphanage at Tibnin, run medical clinics for local people, and have helped support water distribution and water purification projects. Such projects will continue to be at the core of the humanitarian support that Irish Defence Forces personnel provide during overseas peacekeeping operations.
Ireland is currently participating in the Deployable Disaster Relief Capability Package (DM-DR CP) PESCO project. The aim of this project is to enhance military capabilities in humanitarian relief, standardise training across all participating Member States and to provide an exchange of knowledge and expertise in the specialised areas of disaster relief.
In addition, Ireland’s engagement in Partnership for Peace (PfP) enables access to a number of working groups and training opportunities across a number of capabilities including climate change and security. Our engagement in PfP gives the Defence Forces access to best practices, education and lessons learned in relation to climate change and security.
As climate change contributes to increasingly extreme weather events, including storms and droughts, across the world, these will impact on the nature of peacekeeping tasks and the variety of activities peacekeeping missions and operations may be called upon to support, particularly as many current peacekeeping operations are located in climate stressed regions.
I believe that the populations of these affected areas are entitled to the humanitarian assistance and protection offered through international multilateralism including peacekeeping operations. Climate change is not identified as an impediment to assisting those less fortunate than ourselves.
