merrion street

Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe, T.D., is in Lebanon to attend a Transfer of Authority Ceremony marking the transfer of command from Finland to Ireland of the Finn/Irish Battalion to the Irish/Finnish Battalion, United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Speaking ahead of the Handover Ceremony today Minister Kehoe said “We are now entering the next chapter in our participation in the UNIFIL mission with Ireland again taking the lead nation role in the joint Battalion for the next two years. We have worked closely with Finland in planning for this hand over and our continued joint operation will support this deepening relationship. Working with partners, such as Finland, enhances the range and nature of overseas operations that Ireland can undertake. The Irish Government remains strongly committed to the maintenance of peace and security in Lebanon through our continued participation in UNIFIL.”

The Minister went on to say, “A key facet of Ireland’s approach to international peace support operations is the engagement of Defence Forces personnel at all levels with the local communities in which they serve. Irish troops serving with UNIFIL have, in recent years, provided support and encouragement for local people by completing a number of valuable humanitarian projects aimed at improving the lives of many poor and vulnerable Lebanese people. This is important work, which I am delighted to see the Irish/Finnish Battalion is set to continue.”

During the visit Minister Kehoe will also take the opportunity to meet with Irish personnel serving with UNIFIL. The Minister commented “I look forward to meeting members of the 109th Infantry Battalion under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Howard who recently arrived in Lebanon for service with UNIFIL, to personally thank them for the work they are doing, which turns our commitment to peacekeeping and to progress in the region, into a reality.”

Notes to editor
· The UNIFIL mission represents Ireland’s largest overseas deployment. Since the mission was first established in 1978, Ireland has a long and continuous record of contributing to UNIFIL.
· Since June 2012, a contingent of the Finnish Armed Forces has served alongside Irish Defence Forces personnel as part of a joint Battalion in UNIFIL.
· The joint battalion has been under Finnish command since November 2013, during which time the Irish contribution to UNIFIL has comprised some 200 personnel.
· Taking over this role, together with the deployment of additional personnel to UNIFIL headquarters, brings the total Irish contribution to UNIFIL to some 380 personnel.
· On Tuesday, 22 November, Ireland will again take over the lead nation role in the joint Battalion for the next two years.