Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
200. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on the role of the Defence Forces in the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force on the Golan Heights; whether the decision to withdraw that force will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37287/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra201. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel based at Golan Heights as part of UNDOF for each year 2013 to 2023, inclusive; the numbers currently based at Golan Heights; the proposals to retain a presence in the event of an Irish withdrawal from the force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37288/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.
Since 2013, Irish peacekeepers have played an important part in improving the lives of citizens on the ground in the Golan Heights as part of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).
As of 31 July 2023, 139 Defence Forces' personnel were serving with UNDOF and 2,690 individual tours had been conducted since the first deployment ten years ago.
The number of Defence Forces' personnel deployed with UNDOF in each year from 2013 to 2023 (31 July) are as follows.
|
Year |
No of DF Personnel Deployed |
|
2013 |
120 |
|
2014 |
270 |
|
2015 |
289 |
|
2016 |
262 |
|
2017 |
266 |
|
2018 |
275 |
|
2019 |
276 |
|
2020 |
273 |
|
2021 |
267 |
|
2022 |
253 |
|
2023 |
139 |
The current role of the Defence Forces' Infantry Group includes the provision of a Quick Reaction Force. Their tasks range from emergency evacuation of UN personnel to the carrying-out of routine patrols and convoy escorts, as necessary.
The decision to withdraw the Infantry Group from UNDOF next spring was not an easy decision, either for the Defence Forces or the Government, but was based on military advice and it will allow the Defence Forces to undertake a process of consolidation with regard to their overseas commitments and to prepare for future peace-keeping missions as well as to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capacity available to fulfil their commitment to the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025.
That decision to withdraw the Infantry Group from UNDOF will not be revisited, not least given that plans to replace the Irish contingent are already well advanced. The 68th Infantry Group, which is due to depart to the Golan Heights in October, will be the last large-scale deployment of military personnel to this mission, at least for the present time.
The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are engaging with the United Nations with a view to maintaining some staff posts in the mission and it is possible that the Defence Forces will continue to occupy a small number of such staff officer posts. This will, however, ultimately be a matter to be determined by the United Nations.
