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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2018

Vol. 967 No. 1

Service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 2016: Motion

I move:

That Dáil Éireann approves the report by the Minister with responsibility for Defence, regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 2016, copies of which were laid before Dáil Éireann on 5th October, 2017, in accordance with section 13 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss this issue. I am pleased to report to the House on Irish Defence Forces participation in United Nations missions in 2016. The report for 2016 was laid before Dáil Éireann on 5 October 2017 and was recently discussed by the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence. As a result, we are debating this motion. In commending the motion, I will shortly outline some of the key aspects of Ireland's involvement in the UN in 2016.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Ireland's participation in UN peacekeeping missions and is an opportune time to acknowledge the significant contribution of Defence Forces personnel to such missions. Participation in overseas peacekeeping missions is a key element of Ireland's foreign policy and has been an important dimension in meeting Ireland's international obligations as a member of the UN and the EU. Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and its peacekeeping activities. 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.

Ireland’s main commitments during 2016 were to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, on the Golan Heights. The UNIFIL mission continues to represent Ireland's largest overseas deployment. At the request of the United Nations, a contingent of Defence Forces personnel deployed to UNIFIL in mid-2011. Ireland has served as part of the joint battalion comprising Irish and Finnish troops since June 2012. Since May 2015, the Finnish contingent has included an Estonian platoon of 40 personnel. Command of the joint battalion has, by agreement, rotated between Ireland and Finland. Ireland has been in command of the joint battalion since November 2016. Partnership with other like-minded states has become an increasing element of our overseas peacekeeping operations. Working with other like-minded states is critical to overcoming the new and ever-emerging challenges we face. There were two rotations of Irish personnel during 2016 comprising the 53rd Infantry Group in May and the 109th Infantry Battalion in November 2016. On 31 December 2016, there were 379 personnel serving with this mission. Major General Michael Beary took up the post of head of mission and force commander of UNIFIL in July 2016 and will remain in this role until July 2018. His appointment in 2016 to this prestigious post is a tribute to the fine reputation of Irish peacekeepers over the years and to the skills and attributes that they bring to the job. The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of UNIFIL until 31 July 2018.

Ireland's second largest overseas deployment in 2016 was to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, on the Golan Heights. The Defence Forces' contribution to UNDOF in 2016 comprised the 52nd Infantry Group and the 54th Infantry Group, each with approximately 130 personnel. The infantry group operates in the role of a quick reaction force on standby to assist with ongoing operations within the UNDOF area of responsibility. At the request of the UN, Brigadier General Anthony Hanlon was extended in his appointment as deputy force commander of UNDOF until 21 May 2016. The continued presence of the UNDOF mission remains an important element in ensuring stability on the Golan Heights and in the Middle East region and is supported and welcomed by both Syria and Israel.

Ireland continued to contribute military observers and staff to various United Nations missions such as the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, UNTSO, throughout the year under review. Some 12 Irish personnel were deployed to that mission in 2016, including Colonel Eamon Caulfield as deputy chief of staff of UNTSO. Ireland increased the contingent of personnel deployed to the EU training mission, EUTM, in Mali to 18 during 2016. The objective of this mission is to improve the capacity of the Malian armed forces to maintain security in Mali and restore the authority of the Malian Government and the territorial integrity of the Malian state. Ireland has participated in EUTM Mali since the mission was launched in 2013. Currently, 20 Irish Defence Forces personnel are deployed with EUTM Mali.

I could finish in about two minutes if that is okay with the House.

If that is in agreement, yes. We are going to adjourn at 8 p.m. in any event.

Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel were deployed in 2016 were the EU-led mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, EUFOR, with seven personnel; the NATO-led international peace and security presence in Kosovo, KFOR, with 12 personnel; and the resolute support mission, RSM, in Afghanistan with seven personnel. Ireland withdrew from RSM in Afghanistan in March 2016. In addition, during 2016, a small number of Defence Forces officers continued to serve with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara, MINURSO, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire. I recently had the privilege of visiting Irish personnel based in the Middle East. The main purpose of my visit was to meet with members of the Permanent Defence Force, PDF, serving with UNTSO, UNIFIL and UNDOF and to attend as part of the events in the region as part of Ireland's overall economic, political and security engagement in the region. Such visits are a valuable opportunity to be briefed on the situation and the challenges facing the respective mission areas.

I also had the opportunity, as part of the events, to meet with members of An Garda Síochána serving with the UN mission in Cyprus. I was delighted and honoured to have the opportunity to spend some time with Irish personnel serving overseas, both from the Defence Forces and the Garda, and to express my thanks, that of the Government and the people of Ireland for the important role they are currently undertaking in UN peacekeeping operations. In all my interactions with mission leaders and political leaders in the host countries, what was clearly evident was the respect and high regard they held for the professionalism displayed by our Irish peacekeepers. Participation in peace support operations comes at a personal cost for individuals who must be away from families and friends for extended periods of time. Without their commitment and dedication, Ireland's strong tradition of service overseas, under the auspices of the United Nations, would not be possible.

For peacekeeping missions to be successful and for peacekeepers to remain safe, missions must be a meaningful tool for the attainment of peace. The mission mandate must closely match the needs of the conflict and mandates must be resourced adequately. Ireland’s current contribution of 586 personnel to overseas missions is a very significant contribution in the context of the resources available for the Defence Forces.

I commend the motion to the House.

Deputy Lisa Chambers is next but rather than allow her to begin, since I would have to interrupt her within seconds, I ask her to move the adjournment of the debate.

Debate adjourned.
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