125. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if she will report on any discussions had with the UN regarding any missions that Irish peacekeepers may take part in following the cessation of the UNIFIL mission; if discussions have been had regarding Irish peacekeepers remaining in Lebanon after 2026 to support the Lebanese armed forces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33212/26]

141. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Defence if there will be a continued partnership between Ireland and the people of Lebanon, given our longstanding commitment to peace keeping in Lebanon. [32845/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 141 together.

Ireland is proud of its long standing commitment to Lebanon and to UNIFIL. Irish troops first began their service with UNIFIL in 1978 and they have made an essential contribution to maintaining the well-being and security of the Lebanese people since then. Both I and the Government believe that UNIFIL is making an essential contribution to the safety and security of Lebanon and the wider region. Through our UNIFIL deployment, Ireland has built strong bilateral links with the Lebanese Government and people, which we will seek to maintain and build on going forward.

I remain actively and personally engaged on these bilateral links. I am regularly in contact with my Lebanese counterparts to express Ireland’s continued support for Lebanon, most recently during a call with Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi, on 10th April this year. In addition, I spoke in March with the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Mr Jean-Pierre Lacroix, to discuss the situation in southern Lebanon, the future of UNIFIL and Ireland’s firm commitment to international peace and security and to the UN through participation in peacekeeping operations. I also underlined our support for Lebanon and the Lebanese Armed Forces, and I will continue to engage constructively with the United Nations and international partners in this regard.

In terms of future support and partnership with regard to Lebanon, we have been very clear on the critical need for all parties in the region to respect the UNIFIL mandate to the end of 2026 and during the drawdown and withdrawal phase of the Mission throughout 2027, and that the EU and international community maintain their support and commitment to the Government and people of Lebanon during this period, including through enabling the Lebanese Armed Forces to provide security for the State of Lebanon.

Ireland’s continued participation in UNIFIL reflects our commitment to multilateralism and the maintenance of international peace and security and that the Mission is essential in supporting peace and security in Lebanon and in the wider region. Following years of investment of resources and support to the Lebanese I do not wish to see those gains undone and I consider it essential that the international community maintain its support to Lebanon following the withdrawal of UNIFIL at the end of its mandate.

On the EU front, the EU’s External Action Service is currently actively considering what form European support for Lebanon could take, which could include a proposal for a military CSDP Training Mission, along with European Peace Facility supports, and I look forward to engaging on this as it develops during our forthcoming Presidency of the EU. Both I and Government fully support EU CSDP efforts as a means of contributing to peace and security in southern Lebanon, and we were very happy to prepare a non-paper at EU level, supported by Spain and Austria, in this regard.

We must ensure however that any initiatives and support are rooted in, and responsive to, Lebanese needs and closely coordinated with international partners.

At present, no decision has been taken by the Government, in respect of Irish Defence Forces personnel remaining in Lebanon beyond 2026 in a role supporting the Lebanese Armed Forces, whether under UN auspices or otherwise. It is important to note however, that under the current ‘Triple Lock’ arrangements underpinning the deployment of Defence Forces personnel to peacekeeping missions, Defence Forces personnel will no longer be able to be deployed in this role in Southern Lebanon, in the absence of a UN mandate. This is one of the reasons why Government remains committed to amending this legislation.

Decisions regarding the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas are made on the basis of policy advice and are informed by developments in the international security environment, Ireland’s foreign policy priorities, and the operational demands, assets and capabilities of the Defence Forces, having regard to existing commitments both at home and overseas, as well as currently, the presence of a UNSC mandate. These factors are kept under continuous review, particularly in the context of an increasingly challenging security environment.

No discussions have been had with the UN regarding participation in any missions following the cessation of the UNIFIL mission, but the Government remains open to considering future contributions where they align with Ireland’s values, international obligations and the capabilities of the Defence Forces.