Press release
Ministerial Review of Defence Forces personnel deploying to UNIFIL
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin, today (30 April) reviewed the members of the 124th Infantry Battalion who will shortly deploy to Lebanon as part of the United Nations’ Interim Force (UNIFIL).
The Tánaiste was accompanied by the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy.
Addressing family members of the 124th Infantry Battalion at the outset, the Tánaiste acknowledged concerns surrounding the current conflict in the Middle East:
“I want to assure you that the safety and security of our Defence Forces’ personnel is of paramount concern to me and to the government. Since hostilities commenced in the region, I have been in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff and the Department of Defence is being up to date on all developments in those areas where our personnel are deployed.
"You can be assured also that contingency planning and risk assessments are part and parcel of the planning in operational deployments and are carried out on a continual basis in response to any threats that may arise.
"We will continue to monitor the situation closely along with our partners in the UN and the wider international community.”
Soldiers from 23 counties around Ireland are represented among the 379 strong contingent deploying to UNIFIL with the majority coming from Dublin.
Addressing the 124th Infantry Battalion, the Tánaiste reflected on the value of Peacekeeping against the backdrop of escalating conflict in the Middle East and his recent visit to the region:
“The activity in this entire region since October 7th is a reminder of the importance of your work. Never forget that you are going there in the noble pursuit of peace.
"The risk of a wider regional escalation is deeply concerning and must also be the focus of urgent international efforts – efforts which are reflected nationally in terms of your deployment to the region. Your work to support and maintain UN efforts in peace and security will be and is hugely important.”
In his concluding remarks the Tánaiste congratulated the members of the 124th Infantry Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Tom Fox on their achievements to date and wished them a safe and successful mission.
Ireland has a long and well-regarded history of participation in overseas missions mandated by the United Nations since 1958. In that period, Defence Forces personnel have completed over 73,000 individual tours of duty in overseas missions.
The 124rd Infantry Battalion UNIFIL comprises 379 personnel, 9 Maltese and 370 Irish personnel. This includes the deployment in the coming months of an extra platoon of 33 Irish troops to serve as an additional force protection element with the Irish Battalion in United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon which was approved by the Tánaiste.
There are no plans to withdraw Irish Defence Forces’ personnel from any of the current UN missions in the region. Following the recent planned withdrawal of Irish Infantry Group from the UNDOF mission, there are approximately 360 Defence Forces personnel serving in the three UN missions in the region – UNIFIL (345), UNDOF (5) and UNTSO (11).
Government will continue to monitor the situation closely along with our partners in the UN and the wider international community.