Vol. 562 No. 5
233 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish troops who died while serving on UN peace missions; the number of troops who are now serving abroad; and his views on recent attempts to sideline the United Nations by major powers. [6725/03]
Ireland joined the United Nations on 14 December 1955 and has had a continuous presence in UN peacekeeping operations since 1958. Irish personnel have served on over 50,000 individual missions on UN peacekeeping operations. Ireland's involvement in peacekeeping represents a major contribution to international peace and security. It is a record of which the Irish people can justly be proud. Some 277 Irish personnel – 226 troops, 31 military observers and 20 gardaí – are currently serving on nine UN missions. Tragically, 84 Irish personnel have died while serving as UN peacekeepers. The Deputy's question refers to the attempted sidelining of the UN but, far from being sidelined, the Security Council is working intensively on a wide range of issues of international peace and security. During its recent Security Council membership, Ireland worked hard to ensure that the Security Council assumed responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and that its primary role in that regard was fully respected.
Questions Nos. 234 to 257, inclusive, withdrawn.
Question No. 258 answered with Question No. 138.
