Press release
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin reviews Defence Forces personnel deploying to UNIFIL
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Published on
Last updated on
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin today (31 October 2024) reviewed the members of the 125th Infantry Battalion due to deploy to Lebanon as part of the United Nations’ Interim Force (UNIFIL).
Soldiers from 23 counties across Ireland are represented among the 381 strong contingent deploying to UNIFIL, with the majority coming from County Donegal. Ten personnel are from the Armed Forces of Malta.
Addressing personnel and family members of the 125th Infantry Battalion at Custume Barracks in Athlone, the Tánaiste said:
“The safety and security of our personnel in UNIFIL is of the utmost importance both to myself 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 force protection measures in South Lebanon over the past year. These improvements are regularly updated and meticulously maintained by dedicated engineering personnel and assets.
"Since hostilities have reignited 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 assure you that this will continue and that we will continue to monitor the situation closely along with our partners in the UN, the EU and the wider international community.”
Speaking to the 125th Infantry Battalion, the Tánaiste reflected on the value of participation in UNIFIL against the backdrop of conflict in the Middle East:
"Your participation in UNIFIL illustrates the very positive and practical difference that small countries like Ireland can make in conflict zones. 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.”
In his concluding remarks the Tánaiste congratulated the members of the 125th Infantry Battalion led by Lieutenant Colonel Shane Rockett on their achievements to date and wished them a safe and successful mission.
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.
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 125th Infantry Battalion UNIFIL comprises 381 personnel, 10 Maltese and 371 Irish personnel.
There are 361 Defence Forces personnel serving in the three UN missions in the region – UNIFIL (345), UNDOF (4) and UNTSO (12).
The government continues to monitor the ongoing situation in the region closely along with our partners in the UN and the wider international community.