Joe Neville
Ceist:118. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces that are currently on active peace keeping missions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33428/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 6 May 2026
Ceisteanna (118)
Freagraí scríofa
As of 30th April 2026, Ireland is contributing 430 Defence Forces personnel to overseas peacekeeping missions and commitments. This 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 353 personnel.
Ireland also contributes personnel to two other UN missions located in the Middle East, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO) - where Military Observers remain in the Middle East to monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating and assist other United Nations peacekeeping operations in the region - with 11 personnel currently deployed, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan in Syria, with 3 personnel deployed. 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 (as part of Ireland's membership of Partnership for Peace) and OSCE headquarters.
Ireland has always been a strong supporter of peacekeeping and contributions to peacekeeping operations and this is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN and UN-mandated peacekeeping operations, as well as by Ireland's engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Our peacekeepers are recognised internationally for their expertise and experience.
As the Deputy will know, on 28th August last year, the UN Security Council renewed the UNIFIL mandate up to 31st December 2026, to be followed by a period of drawdown and withdrawal, scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027. This will have the most significant impact on the numbers of the Defence Forces serving overseas over the next 18 months.
The following table sets out the number and location of personnel deployed to overseas peacekeeping missions and commitments as of 30th April last (the latest figures available):
|
UN MISSIONS |
|
|
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ |
353 |
|
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria |
11 |
|
UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) |
3 |
|
UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
|
|
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
5 |
|
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) |
13 |
|
Naval Service EU Naval Mission (Op Irini) |
4 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS |
389 |
|
EU MILITARY STAFF (EUMS) |
|
|
Brussels |
8 |
|
EU MILITARY COMMITTEE (EUMC) |
|
|
Brussels |
15 |
|
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) |
6 |
|
Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO /PfP (Brussels) |
3 |
|
EU OHQ Operation Althea, SHAPE, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
Military C-IED Expert, UN Mine Action Service, Entebbe, Uganda |
1 |
|
EU Military Assistance Mission to Ukraine (OHQ & Multinational Training Command) (Belgium & Germany) |
4 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
430 |