Catherine Callaghan
Question:33. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the status of Operation Althea; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29086/26]
View answerWednesday, 22 April 2026
Questions (33)
Written answers
The EU military mission EUFOR ALTHEA (Operation Althea) in Bosnia and Herzegovina was established under the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1575 of 22 November 2004. On 31 October last, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2795 (2025) renewing the Mission's mandate for a further period of 12 months, until November 2026.
The primary focus of Operation ALTHEA is on the maintenance and stability of a safe and secure environment in the country, especially supporting the civil authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The mission remains an important part of the EU’s comprehensive efforts in the country to support a political process aimed at enabling it, on the basis of necessary reforms, to continue to move forward in the EU integration process.
Ireland has participated in Operation ALTHEA since December 2004. Since April 2017 Ireland’s contribution to the Operation has comprised five personnel, and I have recently approved a further two Defence Forces personnel to be deployed to the Mission. Irish personnel are based at the Mission's HQ in Sarajevo, where they provide support to the Mission Commander and the HQ.
The continued participation of Defence Forces personnel is kept under continuous review and the Mission is approved annually by the Government - most recently in December 2025 - for participation until the end of December 2026.
I am informed that the security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina currently is deemed calm and stable, and that there are currently no indications to suggest that the security environment will significantly deteriorate in the short term.