Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
134. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of troops serving at present on UN approved missions; the number of UN approved missions worldwide that Ireland does not have troops involved in due to lack of resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13666/24]
View answerAs of 5 April 2024, Ireland is contributing 419 personnel to 8 different missions throughout the world` and reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security. The main overseas mission in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed is with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 345 personnel. Ireland also contributes observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU, NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.
There are currently 11 UN Peacekeeping Operations active around the world: MINURSO (Western Sahara); UNMIK (Kosovo); UNMOGIP (India and Pakistan); UNFICYP (Cyprus); UNDOF (Syria); UNIFIL (Lebanon); UNTSO (Middle East); UNISFA (Abyei); UNMISS (South Sudan); MINUSCA (Central African Republic); and MINUSCO (Democratic Republic of Congo).
In addition to UN-led Peacekeeping Operations, the UN Security Council may, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, also authorise missions led by others to achieve the same ends of maintaining or restoring international peace and security. There are a number of such missions currently authorised by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII, including ATMIS, which is an African Union-led multinational transition force in Somalia; EUFOR Operation Althea, which is an EU military deployment in Bosnia & Herzegovina overseeing the implementation of the peace agreement; and the NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo, KFOR. The UN Security Council has also approved a Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti, although this has not yet been deployed. In addition, UN Security Council Resolutions underpin the EU naval missions Operation Atalanta and Operation Irini.
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).
There are currently no plans to increase our commitment to UN peacekeeping in terms of participation in further missions. The Irish Defence Forces have recently withdrawn as planned from the UNDOF mission this month after over ten years of participation in this operation.
With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. The changing nature of demands and potential future mission profiles need to be considered in the context of assets and capabilities which can be made available by the Defence Forces for overseas deployment, given existing operational demands at home and overseas.
Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed below.
MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS
As of 05 April 2024
|
UN MISSIONS |
|
|
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ UNIFIL 123rd Infantry Battalion UNIFIL Sector West HQ |
8 332 5 |
|
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria |
11 |
|
UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff - Camp Faouar - Bravo side) |
5 |
|
TOTAL |
361 |
|
UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
|
|
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
5 |
|
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ |
13 |
|
Naval Service EU Mission (Op Irini OHQ -3, FHQ - 1 ) |
4 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN ENDORSED MISSIONS |
383 |
|
|
|
|
ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) |
|
|
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna |
1 |
|
EU MILITARY STAFF |
|
|
Brussels |
8 |
|
German Led Battle Group 2024-2,FHQ , Stadtallendorf |
9 |
|
MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF |
|
|
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York |
1 |
|
Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna |
1 |
|
Military Representative in PSC Delegation (Brussels) |
4 |
|
Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels) |
3 |
|
EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
Military C-IED expert, UN Training Entebbe |
1 |
|
EUMAM UA |
6 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
419 |
