Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
223. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Defence if the UN in the past ten years has requested Ireland to enhance its participation in UN peace-keeping missions, or partake in additional missions; the nature of the request, size, scope, location; and when. [12470/26]
View answerAt the outset, I want to take this opportunity to thank the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann for their outstanding professionalism and commitment when they have been deployed on peace keeping UN peace keeping missions over the years.
It is important to note at the outset that no new United Nations peace support operations have been approved by the UN Security Council since 2014. This is the context in which any request for additional or enhanced participation by Ireland from the UN must be understood.
With regard to any potential deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, requests for participation in missions are assessed on a case-by-case basis, informed by military advice. A range of factors must be evaluated, including the legal basis and mandate of the mission; the security environment and associated risks; and the Defence Forces assets and capabilities that can be made available, having regard to existing domestic and overseas commitments. Consideration is also given to the level of interoperability our Defence Forces has with the international partners in question, logistical and financial requirements are also a consideration, as is the need to ensure appropriate force protection, medical support and evacuation arrangements. Ultimately, any decision to deploy Defence Forces personnel overseas must also be consistent with Ireland’s legal obligations, our long-standing approach to peacekeeping, and the safety and welfare of personnel.
In terms of UN requests over the past ten years, in September 2019, 14 Defence Forces personnel deployed to the UN Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) as part of a joint operation with the German Armed Forces. This arose from a proposal made by Ireland rather than a request from the UN. Irish personnel served at Camp Castor, the operational headquarters in Gao, and at MINUSMA Force Headquarters in Bamako, where they carried out tasks in accordance with the mission mandate. This included a deployment by the Army Ranger Wing undertaking surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations, with additional Defence Forces personnel assigned to logistics and support roles. Ireland’s participation in MINUSMA concluded in 2022.
In December 2021, Ireland also received a request from the UN to provide members of the Defence Force to support the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Entebbe, Uganda. This deployment involves the provision of Counter-Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) training to troops preparing to deploy to UN operations. One Defence Forces expert is currently serving with UNMAS under this arrangement.
Question No. 224 answered with Question No. 164.
Question No. 225 answered with Question No. 187.
Question No. 226 answered with Question No. 191.
