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Today, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter, T.D., reviewed the members of the 104th Infantry Battalion who will leave later this month for service with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

Speaking following the Review, the Minister said: “Occasions such as this remind us of the important part our Defence Forces play as peacekeepers throughout the world”. The Minister commented on the rising tensions in Lebanon in recent months, which was evidenced only last Friday when six Italian peace keepers were wounded in a bomb attack on their vehicle in the southern port city of Sidon.

The Minister mentioned that the Defence Force authorities had assured him that “appropriate force protection assets and capabilities are being deployed to operate in the current and future environment in Lebanon”. Notwithstanding this, the Minister went on to state that the dangers faced in the Defence Forces role as peacekeepers should not be underestimated.

The Irish battalion, comprising some 440 personnel, will be based in Sector West in an area designated by the Force Commander, centred on the major towns of Tibnine and Bint Jubyal and the ‘Blue Line’, which separates Lebanon and Israel.

Personnel of the 104th Battalion will be tasked primarily with patrolling, reconnaissance, and occupying static posts, while operating in close coordination and cooperation with the Lebanese Armed Forces in Sector West of UNIFIL’s area of operations.

The Minister confirmed his commitment to “ensuring that the Defence Forces continue to contribute in a meaningful way to overseas operations”. However, the Minister stated that the contribution the Defence Forces make must be, both practical and sustainable, within the reduced resources available to Defence.

The Defence Forces deployment to UNIFIL will initially be for 1 year subject to renewal of the mandate and a satisfactory review of the mission. Ireland’s participation in the mission is expected to continue for 3 to 4 years.