Press release
Tánaiste reviews Irish troops heading for service with UNDOF
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Published on
Last updated on
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, today (15 September) reviewed the members of the 68th Infantry Group who will leave in the coming weeks for what will be the final large-scale Irish troop rotation for service with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force.
Speaking during the review, the Tánaiste said:
"Any Ministerial Review of troops heading overseas is an important date in the military calendar, but this review has a particular, and somewhat poignant, significance, given that it is the final large-scale Irish troop rotation for service with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, at least for the moment."
Soldiers from 28 counties around Ireland are represented among the 130 strong contingent deploying to UNDOF. More than a quarter of the group are about to deploy on their first tour of duty overseas.
Addressing the 68th Infantry Group, the Tánaiste said:
"For 65 years now, Ireland has accepted the obligations that arise from being part of the world community and tens of thousands of Irish women and men have worn the blue helmet with pride on UN peacekeeping operations."
The Tánaiste went on to say:
"The challenges of peacekeeping demand that people like you – highly-trained, disciplined, and committed peacekeepers – continue to perform to the highest standards, notwithstanding often difficult circumstances. On behalf of the Irish people, may I thank each and every one of you for the part you are playing in continuing the proud tradition of generations of Irish peacekeepers."
In his concluding remarks the Tánaiste congratulated the members of the 68th Infantry Group led by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Clear on their achievements to date and wished them a safe and successful mission.
At the request of the United Nations, following Government and Dáil Éireann approval, a contingent of the Permanent Defence Force was deployed as the Force Mobile Reserve to UNDOF on the Golan Heights since 2013.
In that time, there have been a total of 2,690 individual tours of duty to the UNDOF mission to date. This figure captures Defence Forces personnel who have deployed as part of the Irish Infantry Group and with UNDOF HQ.
Following the conclusion of an assessment of Defence Forces’ current commitments, it was decided to withdraw the 133-strong Infantry Group personnel from UNDOF with effect from April 2024.
The decision to withdraw the Infantry Group from UNDOF next spring will allow the Defence Forces to undertake a process of consolidation with regard to their overseas commitments and to prepare for future peace-keeping missions as well as to ensure that the Defence Forces have the capacity available to fulfil their commitment to the EU Battlegroup 2024/2025.
The Irish contingent of the 68th Infantry Group comprising some 133 personnel will deploy to Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the area of separation and replace personnel of the 67th Infantry Group.