Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2024
17. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the up-to-date position on risk assessments carried out on the safety impact to Irish peacekeeping troops serving in Lebanon on their monitoring of the blue line between Lebanon and Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22106/24]
View answerAt the outset, I wish to assure the Deputy that the safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to this Government. As Tánaiste and Minister of Defence, I remain in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff and the Department of Defence is kept apprised of all developments in those areas in which Defence Forces’ personnel are deployed.
Furthermore, all reasonable measures are being taken to ensure the safety and security of all Defence Forces' personnel. All Defence Forces’ personnel, including personnel serving in Lebanon are maintaining a high level of vigilance and continue to monitor the developing situation in their respective mission areas, which remains dynamic and unpredictable.
I wish to also assure the Deputy that Defence Forces’ peacekeepers are well trained prior to deployment and prepared to anticipate events such as occasions of sporadic fire in their Area of Operations. This includes complying fully with all UN security precautions, including taking shelter in protected positions as appropriate, as they have had to do on several occasions since the outbreak of hostilities.
With regard to UNIFIL particularly (which as the Deputy is aware is the Mission monitoring the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel), the Government recently approved the additional deployment of an extra platoon of 33 Irish troops to serve as an additional force protection element with the Irish Battalion deployed. These troops will deploy to the UNIFIL mission during July 2024.
Finally, in terms of contingency planning, I can assure the Deputy that this is part and parcel of the planning in operational deployments should the need for evacuation ever arise. It should be underlined however that the Government remains committed to UNIFIL and has no plans to evacuate our personnel currently. We will continue to monitor the situation closely along with our partners in the UN and the wider international community.
