IRISH troops could end up back in action in Lebanon early next year, after tentative approaches were made by the Department of Defence to the United Nations about a possible overseas mission.

The Defence Forces have been without a significant presence abroad since the withdrawal from Chad earlier this year.

However, it is widely thought that a significant gap in personnel will open up in Lebanon in the New Year and that the Defence Forces are willing to help fill the void.

The Sunday Tribune understands that one of the countries involved in the peacekeeping mission – thought to be either Spain or France – has indicated it wants to reduce its commitment. That would leave the door open for a Defence Forces battalion to travel to Lebanon, where Irish forces have served with distinction in the past. The Defence Forces said there were currently 148 of their personnel deployed on overseas missions with a small contingent remaining in Lebanon.

"We have been in contact with the UN in relation to its requirements for missions. A number of options are being developed in terms of capabilities and possible missions," the Department of Defence said in statement.

"These options include the possible deployment to the UN mission in Lebanon with which eight members of the Permanent Defence Force continue to serve.

"When these options have been further examined by civil and military management, the minister will be in a position to consider the proposals and bring forward recommendations to government as appropriate."

It is understood that defence minister Tony Killeen and military leaders are keen on securing a significant overseas mission for Ireland.

Peacekeeping duty in Lebanon would have the added advantage of being effectively cost-neutral as most of the bill would be paid by the United Nations.

A tour in Lebanon would not be without its dangers however, and during the more than 30 years in which troops have served with Unifil, there have been over 270 fatalities.

There are currently 13,000 troops and civilian support staff based in southern Lebanon.

From 1978 to 2001, a battalion of around 540 Irish troops along with 100 other personnel were rotated every six months, resulting in 32,000 individual tours of duty.

In total, 47 Irish troops lost their lives while serving with Unifil, with a number of others suffering serious injuries in a series of attacks and other incidents.