Tánaiste Simon Harris has said that it is a "source of regret" that the UNIFIL mission will come to an end next year.
The Minister for Defence was speaking at a special ceremony at Custume Barracks in Athlone for more than 360 Irish troops who are being deployed on one of the final UNIFIL missions next month.
In August, the UN Security Council voted to end the decades long mission in Southern Lebanon following pressure from the United States and Israel.
"I'm very conscious that this is quite a poignant occasion. As we near the end of this mission, I think it's a source of regret that the mission will come to an end, but we've always argued and advocated that it was important to avoid a cliff edge," Mr Harris said.
"We've worked very intensively diplomatically and militarily over the summer months to make sure that there was a period of time for the mission to wind down in an orderly way," the Tánaiste added.
The 127th Infantry Battalion is due to leave for southern Lebanon in the coming weeks.
UNIFIL is Ireland's longest peacekeeping mission.
Its aim is to monitor hostilities, support the Lebanese government in restoring authority and ensure humanitarian access.
Watch: Defence Forces members take part in ceremony ahead of UNIFIL deployment
UNIFIL is due begin an "orderly and safe withdrawal" of peacekeepers by December 2026, according to the United Nations.
Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces, said that operations are due to finish on 31 December next year.
"UNIFIL will start a plan then to look at which contingents will withdraw [and] in what sequence. So that has only started now... and we’ll be involved in that process," he said.
"Our primary concern is for the safety and security in that region. We will work very closely with the Lebanese Armed Forces in the next year to ensure that they’re prepared and ready to take over that mission. So that’s our primary focus for 2026," the Chief of Staff said.
"The Lebanese Armed Forces will take over the safety and security of the southern sector and indeed the wider Lebanon region, and that’s the right thing.
"The Lebanese Armed Forces are responsible, along with the Lebanese government, for the security of their own country," he added.
Lt Gen Mulcahy acknowledged that the UNIFIL mission was an important recruitment and retention tool for the Defence Forces as campaigns have been under way to try and increase the strength of the force.
"This won’t be the first time that we haven’t had a large troop mission in Lebanon. We’ll look at future missions... if they do come on the horizon," he said.
The Tánaiste said that he hopes Ireland can play a constructive role in Lebanon’s future as this is a "crucial moment" for the country.
"I’ve been engaging with European counterparts about various training missions that I’d like to see the EU consider," he said.
"You’ll be aware of the EU MAM initiative that we’ve had where we’re providing training in Ukraine.
"Could there be a variation of that to help the Lebanese Armed Forces, could Ireland participate to help in that with other European counterparts? I think that’s soething very much worth considering."
The 127th Infantry Battalion will be deployed until May 2026.
