Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 November 2012
33. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence the number of Irish Defence Forces personnel currently serving in Syria; the role of Irish Defence Forces personnel in this location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48467/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraFive (5) members of the Permanent Defence Force are deployed in Syria as part of the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO). The Defence Forces have participated in UNTSO since 1958. Defence Forces personnel serving with this mission are based in Syria, Israel and Lebanon. The 5 Defence Forces personnel based in Syria are part of Observer Group Golan (OGG) responsible for the Syrian side of the Golan Heights. Their duties include manning Observation Posts, conducting fortnightly inspections in the area; conducting patrols in the area (3 per fortnight) and conducting other tasks as required.
As the security situation in Syria remains highly unstable and volatile, Defence Forces personnel normally based in Damascus were relocated by the United Nations from Damascus to United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) accommodation on the Golan Heights, on 15 October 2012, as a temporary force protection measure. The Irish personnel continue to fulfil their roles from their current location. It is intended that they will return to accommodation in Damascus when the security situation allows it. It is not yet clear when that might be.
UNTSO works closely with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and UNDOF. The main objectives of UNTSO are to monitor ceasefires, to supervise armistice agreements and to assist the UN peacekeeping operation in the area. It also maintains a presence in the Egypt-Israel sector in the Sinai. UNTSO maintains offices in Beirut and Damascus.
Six members of the Permanent Defence Force who had been deployed as unarmed military observers to the United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) were withdrawn in August 2012 when the missions mandate came to an end.
