339. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form the number of missions the UN, EU and any other organisations have asked the Defence Forces to contribute personnel to in the past ten years; the nature or tasks of the units requested to contribute; and where it was decided not to contribute, the relevant rationale. [20250/14]

Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. When considering any particular request, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution, consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy and the degree of risk involved are amongst the factors considered. Other factors taken into account are the level of existing commitments to peacekeeping operations and security requirements at home. Details of the requests received by Ireland from the United Nations and European Union since 2004 to contribute Defence Forces personnel to missions and the outcome of these requests are contained in the following schedule.

REQUESTS FOR CONTRIBUTIONS OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL TO UN/EU MISSIONS (2004-2013)

UN REQUESTS FOR DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL WHERE NOMINATIONS WERE NOT POSSIBLE OR ASSETS UNAVAILABLE