Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 July 2024
153. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the total number of Irish military personnel serving at various locations overseas; the level of future deployments if known; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28363/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 5 June 2024, Ireland is contributing 430 Defence Forces personnel to overseas missions and locations, which reflects the Government's continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security. The main mission in which personnel are currently deployed is the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 344 personnel.
Ireland also contributes personnel to two other UN missions located in the Middle East, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) Israel & Syria with 11 personnel, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in Syria, with 4 personnel. Observers and staff are also deployed to various United Nations and OSCE missions and in addition, Defence Forces personnel hold staff appointments at UN, EU, NATO/PfP and OSCE headquarters.
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 05 June 2024
|
UN MISSIONS |
|
|
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ UNIFIL 124th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL Sector West HQ |
8 332 4 |
|
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria |
11 |
|
UNDOF (COS Staff/FHQ Staff - Camp Faouar - Bravo side) |
4 |
|
TOTAL |
359 |
|
UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
|
|
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
5 |
|
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ |
13 |
|
Naval Service EU Naval Mission (Op Irini) OHQ/FHQ (Op Irini HQ - 5 in OHQ)(1 in FHQ) |
6 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS |
383 |
|
|
|
|
ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND CO-OPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) |
|
|
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group, Vienna |
1 |
|
EU MILITARY STAFF (EUMS) |
|
|
Brussels |
8 |
|
EU BATTLE GROUP (EUBG) |
|
|
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 to EU (Brussels) |
5 |
|
Liaison Officer 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, UNMAS, UN Training Entebbe |
1 |
|
EUMAM UA |
16 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
430 |
