Helen McEntee admits end of peacekeeping mission in Lebanon will likely lead to exodus from Defence Forces

Defence minister Helen McEntee contended that the number of Defence Forces personnel is likely to fall once the Lebanon mission wraps up.
File picture: Ireland2026eu/PA

Defence minister Helen McEntee has admitted there will likely be an exodus from the Defence Forces once the peacekeeping mission in Lebanon comes to an end.

Some 450 Defence Forces personnel are expected to retire or leave the force next year, a turnover of 7.5%.

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers told the Dáil during Budget 2027 speeches that funding would provide for an intake of 850 new permanent Defence Forces members.

This will provide for 400 brand new personnel members, with 450 other roles filled due to departures of existing staff members.

Ms McEntee conceded that reaching the target of 11,500 troops by the end of 2028 is “not likely”, with the force expected to reach 8,300 by the end of 2028.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) mission will finish by the end of the year following the failure of the United Nations Security Council to renew its mandate.

Ireland cannot partake in missions without a UN mandate under the current Triple Lock legislation.

Ms McEntee said that once the Unifil mission is wound down by Easter, the number of defence personnel overseas will fall from over 400 to 90, with those members working in office roles.

The minister contended that the number of Defence Forces personnel is likely to fall once the Lebanon mission wraps up.

“When we talk about recruitment and retention, I had the opportunity to meet with those who were the last battalion that went out to Lebanon," she said.

"When I spoke to many of them, they joined because they wanted to come to Lebanon. They joined because they wanted to serve in overseas peacekeeping missions.

“If we do not have those opportunities for people, I believe that that will impact on those who wish to join but also retaining people who are actually in the permanent Defence Forces.”

She said that she does not believe that there will be a new UN-mandated mission to Lebanon, but talks are underway for an EU Common Security and Defence Policy mission to be deployed to Lebanon once UNIFIL comes to an end.

However, she said Ireland will not be able to join this while the Triple Lock is still in place.

• Louise Burne is Political Correspondent.