Speech
Speech by the Tánaiste at Ministerial Review of the 125th Infantry Battalion - 31 October 2024
By: Minister for Defence; Micheál Martin
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Last updated on
By: Minister for Defence; Micheál Martin
Published on
Last updated on
Secretary General Jacqui McCrum, Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, members of the General Staff, Officer Commanding the 125th Infantry Battalion – Lieutenant Colonel Shane Rockett, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today in Custume Barracks.
It is a great honour for me, as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to have this opportunity to join you today and review the personnel of the 125th Infantry Battalion, who will travel to the Middle East in the coming weeks for 6 months of service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
Is mór an onóir dom a bheith anseo chun páirt a ghlacadh san ócáid thábhachtach seo. Táim buíoch díbh go léir as bhur seirbhís agus a dtiomantas do chúis na síochána.
First of all, let me begin by welcoming family members, friends and guests, to this very special event.
On occasions such as this, it is always important for me to acknowledge the role of families and loved ones, but today, it is even more important than ever that I directly address you.
Thank you for being here today as we gather to support our brave and committed peacekeepers who are preparing to deploy to a very challenging environment.
The decision by any Government to send its troops overseas on UN peacekeeping operations is never taken lightly. This is particularly so today, given the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.
I understand therefore, given the current situation, that this moment is filled with a mix of concern, uncertainty, but also pride for you. I want to acknowledge those feelings and assure you that I and Government share them also, as does the General Staff and my department.
I absolutely appreciate however that they are far more personal and intense for those who have loved ones preparing to deploy. Our soldiers are individuals who have chosen to serve a greater purpose. With robust training and strength of character and support of comrades, they are stepping forward to promote peace, stability, and security in a difficult and complex region.
I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, peacekeeping is the most noble endeavour that one can pursue.
As your loved ones embark on this important mission, they know that they carry with them your love and support. You are their rock, providing the strength and support they need to carry out their duties. You should be very proud of them, as I am, and I know this pride is matched throughout the government and the Irish public.
I recognise that during the six months that your loved ones carry out their mission, you will need reassurance and additional support. I will ensure that you are kept updated on developments and I want to remind you of the availability of support through your local liaison officers and the services provided by the Defence Forces Personnel Support Service.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the safety and security of our personnel in UNIFIL is of the utmost importance both to me and the government.
Indeed, it is my primary concern. No mission is without risk, but I want to reassure you that significant enhancements have been made to enhance protection measures in South Lebanon over the past year.
When I visited earlier in May, I was reassured by what I saw and I know that these security measures have since been strengthened further. These improvements are regularly updated and meticulously maintained by dedicated engineering personnel and assets. For instance, the newly developed bunkerised Tactical Operations Centre allows command and control to be maintained in prolonged periods when personnel have to remain in bunkers. Perimeter protection has also been upgraded.
I want to reassure you that the troops standing before us today – your sons, daughters, partners, Mums and Dads – are well trained, well prepared and well equipped for this deployment.
They are trained to navigate complex situations with professionalism and compassion. They are equipped with the skills and equipment to protect themselves and others, and their commitment to peacekeeping is a testament to their character and dedication to the values that we all hold dear. There is also significant experience in these ranks, not least in the Battalion leadership, but also in the UNIFIL leadership on the ground,in Lebanon, both share fully that determination to ensure the safety and security of our peacekeepers.
Since hostilities have re-ignited in the region, I have been in ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff, and both I and my department are regularly kept up to date on all developments in those areas where our personnel are deployed. I can assure you that this will continue, and we will work closely along with our partners in the UN, the EU and the wider international community.
Ireland has participated in UNIFIL since 1978, and this deployment continues a long and noble tradition.
In this time, we have seen the evolution of the role of UNIFIL, we have seen multiple generations of Irish soldiers serve in UNIFIL, including during periods of conflict. And we have learned and implemented valuable lessons from their experiences.
Indeed, many of you in the 125th Battalion will use your experience gained from previous deployments to assist you and your colleagues as you take the torch from the 124th battalion.
And now ladies and gentlemen, I wish to address the current situation in Lebanon.
Both the government and I are deeply concerned about the surge of violence in the region and the launch of Israeli ground incursions. I have made these concerns clear both directly to Israel and to UN headquarters at the highest levels, in unequivocal terms.
Israel has an obligation to protect peacekeepers and any actions targeting peacekeepers are an egregious breach of international law, for which full accountability would be pursued. I want to assure you all that, in the event of any future reports of Israeli Defence Forces presence at or near Irish Battalion UNIFIL positions, I will continue to raise the matter at the highest level with both the UN and with the Israeli authorities.
We need to see an urgent de-escalation on activities in Lebanon, including an immediate ceasefire, a renewed implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1701, and a surge of humanitarian assistance into Lebanon to allow those displaced by the recent fighting to return to their homes.
I recently met with Defence ministers and representatives of the 16 EU troop contributing countries to UNIFIL and we all agreed that EU member states can be more influential and stronger when we work together and demonstrate cohesion as a group in support of UNIFIL.
All member states agreed on the need for the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701 by all parties as a means to restoring international peace and security in the region.
I also, just last week, attended the Paris Conference on International Support for Lebanon, where I delivered the same messages. We will continue to monitor the situation as it evolves in Lebanon and Ireland will continue to use whatever levers we have to influence diplomatic and political actions, and find a solution to the conflict.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this government’s commitment to the Defence Forces has been demonstrated by the significant increase in investment made in recent years in our defence forces.
I have been clear since taking up this role that in order for the men and women of the Defence Forces to take centre stage in defending our nation’s security and to support our contribution to peacekeeping, we need a properly resourced Irish military capability, both in terms of personnel and equipment.
This year, an allocation of €1.35 billion for Defence in Budget 2025 has been approved. This record Budget funding will facilitate the ongoing modernisation of our Defence Forces, investment in equipment, on important Defence projects, including military radar, subsea awareness, force protection equipment and Defence Forces infrastructure throughout the country, including here at Custume Barracks.
I have also been pleased to secure improvements in the pay and conditions for our soldiers, naval service and air corps personnel, for example improved starting salaries, allowances and health benefits. I have done this because I am fully aware of the challenges and the pressures you face as you work to serve your country.
Another area where I have worked to improve your situation is the implementation of the Working Time Directive. While certain military duties fall outside the scope of the Directive due to their unique nature, the new framework we have put together will ensure that the wellbeing of our personnel remains a top priority.
You are no doubt aware that there are currently restrictions imposed by the Force Commander of UNIFIL on leaving the mission area because of the security situation, thereby limiting leave opportunities. You will understand the decision I know, as it is for the safety of troops, but it will be regularly reviewed by the Force Commander and the restriction will be removed when it is safe to do so.
However, I am pleased to be in a position to share some positive news with you regarding the implementation of the Working Time Directive.
This step includes a series of crucial health and safety protections for military activities. Included in the package of proposals, is the provision of one return commercial home-reunion flight to Ireland in respect of an operational tour of duty of six months, where the security assessment by the military authorities determines that the individual cannot avail of leave in-theatre.
This provision is intended to be introduced as part of the overall Working Time Directive legislative implementation package, and I am confident this will be implemented by the end of the year.
Now, to return to UNIFIL. Over the years, the Defence Forces have built a strong and durable relationship with the people of Lebanon which serves as a strong foundation for all that serve with this mission.
You are following in the proud traditions of the thousands of men and women of Óglaigh na h-Éireann who have gone before you.
With my joint responsibilities as Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs, I am particularly conscious of the importance of this tradition as an essential component of Ireland’s foreign policy.
Your participation in UNIFIL illustrates the very positive and practical difference that small countries like Ireland can make in the world’s trouble spots. Even under restricted activities, as is occurring at the moment, our peacekeepers still play an important role in terms of monitoring and reporting.
This alone has huge value, as you will be the eyes and ears of the international community on the ground in the region, calling out and drawing attention to activities contrary to international humanitarian law where they occur. It’s important to point out the value of this, by comparison to what is ongoing currently in Gaza, where no such activity is being carried out. As a result the international community has no independent visibility of the catastrophic situation on the ground there.
You, the women and men of the 125th Infantry Battalion have all worked and trained hard to prepare yourselves for duty with UNIFIL. You deploy to UNFIL under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Shane Rockett. Given his experience, with extensive overseas duties already completed, I know you are in capable hands.
Personnel travelling with the 125th Infantry Battalion represent 23 counties across Ireland, with the largest contribution coming from Donegal.
As Minister I am also delighted that we will see 10 personnel from the Armed Forces of Malta deploy to UNIFIL as part of the Irish Battalion, underlining the continued implementation of the bilateral agreement between Malta and Ireland. I know they will make an important contribution to the 125th Infantry Battalion and I wish them well in the months ahead.
For over a third of you standing before me today, this is your first tour of duty overseas, and you will rely on your training to date, as well as on the experience of your longer serving colleagues, with previous overseas service.
In this regard Company Quarter-Master Sergeant Grant, Corporal Greene and Private Siggins have the most overseas deployments,with a total of 14 deployments - an example of the remarkable contribution made by individual Irish Defence Force personnel to peacekeeping.
For operational reasons, primarily as a safety and security measure, a decision was made by the UNIFIL Force Commander to suspend UNIFIL rotations for the month of October.
UNIFIL only last week communicated that it intends to proceed with rotations in November, though understandably depending on the situation on the ground, there may be some movement on this.
I know that you understand this and I accept this is causing some concern both to you, members of the 125th Battalion and your families and friends, but also to those currently awaiting the return of their loved ones in the 124th Battalion.
I can assure you however that both my department and the Defence Forces have a number of teams working on this constantly in the background to try and deliver certainty, and ensure a prompt and on-time rotation of personnel. The intention remains that rotations will happen as close as possible to the original dates, commencing mid-November.
Before I conclude, I also wish to thank everyone involved in the organisation of today’s event.
Let me once again thank your families and friends for attending today and for their ongoing support which enables you to serve abroad and thereby help to protect and save the lives of countless numbers of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world. I hope your mission can bring hope where there is despair and bring peace to where there is conflict.
Finally, I want to wish each and every member of the 125th Infantry Battalion, deploying to UNIFIL next month, a safe and successful mission under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Rockett.
Thank you for your sacrifices, your unwavering support, and for believing in the mission of peace. We are proud of our peacekeepers and of you, the families who stand behind them. I am confident that your training, your preparation and the experience among you equips you for the challenge that lies ahead.
It is my hope that you return home in six months’ time enhanced by the experience you are about to embark on. You will be in our thoughts and prayers throughout the duration of your tour of duty.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.