Defence | Defence Forces in International Missions

QUESTION

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of military personnel serving at various locations overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which participation by the Defence Forces in international missions is envisaged in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

As of 6 March 2024, Ireland is contributing 553 personnel to 8 different missions throughout the world` and reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 345 personnel and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria with 130 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.

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).

There are currently no plans to increase our commitment to UN peacekeeping in terms of participation in further missions. There Irish Defence Forces will finish as planned in the UNDOF mission in April this year after ten years of participation in this operation.

With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests from time to time in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. The changing nature of demands and potential future mission profiles need to be considered in the context of assets and capabilities which can be made available by the Defence Forces for overseas deployment, given existing operational demands at home and overseas.  

Full details of all personnel currently serving in missions overseas are listed below.

MEMBERS OF THE PERMANENT DEFENCE FORCE SERVING OVERSEAS

As of 06 March 2024

UN MISSIONS
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ UNIFIL 123rd Infantry Battalion UNIFIL Sector West HQ	8 332 5
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria	11
UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff – Camp Faouar – Bravo side) UNDOF 67th Infantry Group (Camp Faouar – Bravo side)	6 124
TOTAL	486
UN MANDATED MISSIONS
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina)	4
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ	13
Naval Service EU Mission (Op Irini OHQ -3, FHQ – 1 )	4
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS	507
ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE)
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna	1
EU MILITARY STAFF
Brussels	8
German Led Battle Group 2024-2,FHQ , Stadtallendorf	9
MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York	1
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
EUMAM UA	16
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS	553