Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
43. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the situation with regard to Defence Forces personnel deployed with UNIFIL and UNDOF; and if he will report on any actions taken in view of the deteriorating security circumstances. [50879/23]
View answerI am sure the Tánaiste will join me in extending our best wishes and commendation to the members of the Defence Forces who are serving currently in Lebanon and the Golan Heights in what are very difficult security circumstances at present. My question to the Tánaiste is if he will report on the situation regarding our Defence Forces who are currently deployed on the UNIFIL and UNDOF missions.
The Defence Forces have almost 460 personnel serving between the two UN missions referenced by the Deputy. As of 1 November, 319 Irish personnel were attached to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, and 136 were serving with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in Syria, UNDOF.
All Defence Forces personnel are maintaining a high level of vigilance and continue to monitor the developing situation in their respective mission areas. All personnel serving in the Middle East region are accounted for and are safe and well. They are complying with UN security precautions, including taking shelter in protected positions as appropriate.
The deployment of the 123rd Infantry Battalion to UNIFIL to replace the 122nd Battalion is well under way and will be completed later this month. The safety and security of Ireland's Defence Forces personnel are of paramount concern to the Government.
Before deployment, Defence Forces peacekeepers are well trained and prepared to anticipated events such as cases of sporadic fire in their area of operations. This has required taking shelter in protected positions on several occasions since the outbreak of hostilities. Defence Forces personnel serving in all overseas missions are equipped with the most modern and effective equipment as well as the required protection specific to the mission. Ongoing threat assessments are carried out in the mission area and personal equipment and force assets are continually reviewed to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfil their role.
Unfortunately, no mission is without danger, but I am satisfied that all appropriate security measures are in place to ensure the safety of all Defence Forces personnel serving overseas. I am in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff and the Department of Defence and I am being kept apprised of all developments in those areas where Defence Forces personnel are deployed. We will continue to closely monitor the situation with our partners in the United Nations and the wider international community.
I thank the Tánaiste. Having read some interviews with, and reports on, participants and commanders within both missions, the Irish participants in particular were noteworthy for their professionalism, bravery, commitment to peace keeping and the missions in which they are engaged. It is important that we all say very clearly how proud we are of the service they are providing, not only to Ireland but also to United Nations. The Tánaiste has outlined the increased security context in which they are operating. We know that United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, facilities have been struck and rockets have been fired within the Irish area of operations. Thankfully, there have been no casualties to report for the Irish Defence Forces so far.
Has the Tánaiste reviewed with the Defence Forces leadership whether additional supports are needed for the Irish contingent in either mission, to allow them to get through this period?
Peace keeping is the most noble act of all. We pay tribute to the courage and commitment of our Defence Forces personnel in Lebanon and in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, in Syria. Their mission is to protect the civilian population in the area. We have been doing this for decades now, generally within Lebanon. In recent years the situation has become more challenging, particularly now in the context of the heightened tensions in the region. There has been a ratcheting up of exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah, although not yet at a level of all-out hostilities. During my visit last week I discussed that with our Egyptian counterpart and with the Arab League regarding the situation in Lebanon. The Arab League led by the Secretary General, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, represents a number of Arab countries. Their assessment is that the likelihood of all-out hostilities has not yet been reached, but accidents can happen when explosions are going back and forth and that is a big concern.
The Tánaiste has related his engagements with political leaders in the Middle East. We have all noted the high regard in which Ireland is held. Much of that stems from the political position Ireland has taken in defence of international law. A huge part of that credibility has arisen from the role and the reputation of the Irish forces in ongoing peace keeping missions. In that regard, I ask the Tánaiste whether he still intends to withdraw Irish troops from the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights. In the current context that would be a mistake. It would be disappointing if Government were to proceed with that stated intention, particularly in the light of the reports that only 35 members of the Defence Forces have signed up to the EU battle groups, which was supposedly the rationale for withdrawing the troops from the UNDOF mission. The members of the Defence Forces have clearly spoken with their feet in that regard and I ask the Tánaiste to reconsider the position on the UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights
That decision has been taken on foot of recommendations from the Chief of Staff and military management. One has to take those decisions to give adequate time for their implementation so that decision was taken about a year ago, following recommendations to bring clarity to planning into the future. We have participated in every EU battle group since 1999 and will participate in this one as well. That is the policy position of Government. Regarding the Deputy's earlier question, we keep in close contact with the Chief of Staff and the team in respect of the safety and well-being of our troops in Lebanon and UNDOF. Any additional equipment required will be provided. We are under the leadership of UNIFIL and the force commander there. Established protocols will be followed. The absence of resources has not arisen as an issue.
