Seán Haughey
Question:47. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel currently serving on the UNIFIL mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4700/23]
View answerThursday, 2 February 2023
Questions (47, 71)
James Lawless
Question:71. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel current serving on United Nations missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4737/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 71 together.
As of 1 January 2023, Ireland is contributing 556 personnel to 7 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 349 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 137 personnel. Ireland also contributes observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions and personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU, NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.
The UNIFIL mission in Lebanon continues to represent Ireland's largest overseas deployment and on 17 May 2022 the Government approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in UNIFIL for a further 12-month period. The Irish contingent serves as part of a joint Ireland/Poland Battalion, with smaller numbers of additional personnel provided by both Hungary and Malta.
Ireland acts as lead Nation providing the battalion commanding officer and the larger troop and logistics contribution to the joint Battalion.
The Irish Battalion is based in Sector West of UNIFIL’s area of operations, with its primary base at Bint Jbeil in the vicinity of At Tiri in southern Lebanon. Two forward observation posts manned by the contingent are located on the ‘Blue Line’, which separates Lebanon and Israel. The Battalion conducts operational tasks on a daily basis, which include the provision of security, vehicle and foot patrols, checkpoints, establishing and occupying temporary observation posts and liaison/engagement with local leaders. In addition, joint operations are conducted with units of the Lebanese Armed Forces deployed in the UNIFIL area of operations.
During my recent meetings with both the Lebanese Minister for Defence, Maurice Sleem and Foreign Affairs & Emigrants, Dr Abdullah Bou Habib, I assured both Ministers that Ireland remains committed to continuing its support for Lebanon.
Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. 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).
Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed in the tabular statement below.
MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS
As of 1 January 2022
|
UN MISSIONS |
|
|
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ UNIFIL 121st Infantry Battalion UNIFIL Sector West HQ |
9 336 4 |
|
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria |
12 |
|
UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff - Camp Faouar - Bravo side) UNDOF 66th Infantry Group (Camp Faouar - Bravo side) |
6 131 |
|
TOTAL |
498 |
|
UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
|
|
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
5 |
|
EUTM Mali (EU-led Training Mission) |
14 |
|
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ |
12 |
|
Naval Service EU Mission (Op Irini HQ) |
3 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS |
532 |
|
|
|
|
ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) |
|
|
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna |
1 |
|
EU MILITARY STAFF |
|
|
Brussels |
9 |
|
MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF |
|
|
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York |
3* |
|
Military Adviser, Irish Delegation to OSCE, Vienna |
1 |
|
Military Representative in PSC Delegation (Brussels) |
4 |
|
Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels) |
3 |
|
EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
Military C-IED expert, UN Training Entebbe |
1 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
556 |
|
* Includes Major General Maureen O'Brien serving on secondment to the United Nations following her appointment by the UN as Deputy Military Advisor in the Office of Military Affairs, Department of Peace Operations |
Question No. 48 answered with Question No. 30.