Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2024
77. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the current situation in south Lebanon; the current activities of the Defence Forces on the UNIFIL mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27951/24]
View answer101. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to provide an update on Ireland’s participation with UNIFIL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28195/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 77 and 101 together.
I remain deeply concerned by rising tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border. The potential for further regional escalation remains high. Reports received from UNIFIL indicate that the situation in Irish area of operation remains dynamic and unpredictable with kinetic activity continuing to emanate from North and South of the Blue Line. A widening of this conflict would have devastating consequences. It is vital that all parties work to de-escalate the situation.
As recently as May, I visited the Irish deployment in UNIFIL to gain a further appreciation of the situation on the ground facing our troops, as well as to express my own and the Government’s appreciation for the valuable role they carry out in South Lebanon. Indeed, I saw for myself two incidences of Israeli fire into South Lebanon while I was there.
It is important also to note that Defence Forces’ peacekeepers are well trained prior to deployment, including anticipating events such as occasions of sporadic fire in their Area of Operations, and including the circumstances in which they find themselves currently, which may require taking shelter in protected positions. In each of the missions in the Middle East including UNIFIL, personnel comply fully with all UN security precautions, including taking shelter in protected positions (termed a GROUNDHOG) as and when appropriate.
Ireland is currently contributing 344 Defence Forces personnel to UNIFIL. The Government has also recently approved the deployment of an extra platoon of 33 Irish troops to serve as an additional force protection element with the Irish Battalion located in UNIFIL, and it is intended that these troops will deploy later this month.
The safety and security of Ireland’s Defence Forces’ personnel stationed in the region remains of paramount concern to the Government however, and the Defence Forces remain in ongoing contact with the three UN missions in the Middle East (UNIFIL, UNTSO and UNDOF) throughout the current unrest, and advise that all Irish personnel are accounted for and are safe and well.
I remain in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces on this matter, however and I and the Department of Defence are kept regularly apprised of all developments in those areas in which Defence Forces’ personnel are deployed. Both myself and Government will continue to monitor the situation closely along with our partners in the UN and the wider international community.
