Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2026
179. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel currently deployed on overseas peacekeeping and peace support missions, broken down by mission; the scheduled end date of each deployment or mandate; the number of personnel she expects will be deployed overseas by 31 December 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54045/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 30th June 2026, Ireland is contributing 394 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 320 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 12 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.
At this present time, the Government has no current plans to participate in any new peacekeeping missions. Where future requests are received to participate in international missions, as is the normal practice, any such requests will be examined on a case-by-case basis, informed by policy and military advice and subject to full political consideration. Decisions on deployment take account of a range of factors, including the evolving nature of international peace and security challenges, the likely profile of the mission, and the capabilities and resources available within the Defence Forces, having regard also to existing operational commitments both at home and overseas. Government’s focus has also been on ensuring that any participation by Ireland in overseas operations is appropriate, responsible and aligned with our broader commitment to international peace and security.
The following table sets out the number and location of personnel deployed to overseas peacekeeping missions and commitments as of 30 June last (the latest figures available). The table also includes mandate end dates for the relevant peacekeeping and peace support missions
|
UN MISSIONS |
|
|
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ Operational Mandate Ends: 31 December 2026. Drawdown and Withdrawal: 31 December 2027. |
320 |
|
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation) Israel & Syria Mandate End: Ongoing - UNTSO was established in 1948 and continues under its original mandate; it is not subject to regular Security Council mandate renewals. |
12 |
|
UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) Mandate End: 31 December 2026. UNDOF is typically renewed every six months |
3 |
|
UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
|
|
EUFOR (EU-led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) Mandate End: 01 November 2026. |
5 |
|
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) Mandate End: KFOR operates under UNSCR 1244 (1999) and remains in place until NATO decides otherwise. |
13 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN/UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
353 |
|
EU MILITARY STAFF (EUMS) |
|
|
Brussels |
8 |
|
EU MILITARY COMMITTEE (EUMC) |
|
|
Brussels |
14 |
|
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) |
4 |
|
EU Mil Presidency Staff |
2 |
|
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 |
|
EUMS (IL) |
1 |
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
394 |
