Seven Irish Soldiers are to take up peace-keeping duties with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan.
The soldiers, a lieutenant colonel, four commandants and three senior non-commissioned officers, will begin their six-month tour in three weeks time.
A spokesman for the Defence Forces said: "We are delighted to have another opportunity to contribute to the United Nation’s peace-keeping efforts."
The Defence Forces sent a reconnaissance mission to Afghanistan last month to determine if the ISAF force needed assistance and in what areas. "We made an offer of troops," the spokesman said, "and were delighted to have our offer of help accepted."
The ISAF operation has its headquarters in Kabul and is currently under UK control. Command of the ISAF force will be transferred to the Turkish armed forces before the end of June when the Irish contingent joins them.
The Irish troops will be working with the Kabul force in the areas of personnel, intelligence, operations, and logistics and planning. A spokesman said: "We are very pleased to be part of this mission and to further enhance Ireland’s reputation as international peace-keepers."
The Defence Forces has committed to two such six-month tours and hope to send a similar number of troops to Afghanistan around December.