A proposal for Ireland's Army Ranger Wing to join the UN mission in Mali has been approved by the Dáil.
The proposal was passed by 77 votes to 39.
Fianna Fáil supported the Government's motion while Sinn Féin, Labour and Solidarity-People Before Profit voted against the motion.
The Ranger Wing will work closely with the 400-person German contingent in MINUSMA (Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali).
Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe proposed that a team of 12 Rangers would conduct long-range intelligence gathering patrols.
Minister Kehoe said the decision to send the Army Ranger Wing to Mali was "taken after careful planning and consideration and demonstrates our commitment to UN peace and security".
Dail has just voted by 77 votes to 39 in favour of sending a team from the Army Ranger Wing to @UN_MINUSMA . This decision was taken after careful planning and consideration and demonstrates our commitment to UN Peace and Security. @defenceforces @UNPeacekeeping @DF_COS
— Paul Kehoe T.D (@campaign4kehoe) June 20, 2019
Speaking earlier this week, Minister Kehoe said it is understandable that people have concerns about Irish troops participating in a UN mission in Mali.
He said decisions to put troops in danger are never taken lightly by Government and protecting personnel is always of paramount concern.
He said he had taken advice from military management who have visited Mali and who know first-hand what is happening there.
Minister Kehoe said Irish forces would be deployed as part of a larger team when carrying out surveillance and intelligence.
He also said the mission was a type of challenge that defence forces train for every day.
The mission will be the first time in more than a decade that the Army Ranger Wing will serve abroad on a mission.
