Irish soldiers could be deployed to Mali and south Lebanon to assume peace keeping duties left by French forces who are required to fight Islamic State.

The news comes as France re-focuses it's armed forces towards national security and combating ISIS fighters. 

France has invoked a never before used part of the Lisbon Treaty that could see Irish troops sent to Mali on peacekeeping duties.

The EU's mutual-defence clause - Article 42.7 - was activated after Friday's Paris attacks that left 129 people dead.

The clause - which was heavily debated during the Lisbon Treaty vote, due to its potential impact on Ireland's neutral status - could demand that member states help with French operations in order to free up troops to fight the so-called Islamic State.

The article states that “if a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other member states shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power, in accordance with article 51 of the United Nations charter”.

However it also says that invoking the clause "shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain member states” - such as the six EU member states, including Ireland, that are not NATO members.

The Taoiseach says that a formal request for Irish troops to be deployed has not been received - but that Ireland will help the French cause:

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney says Ireland is exploring options on how to possibly aid France, and that this may involve sending troops to areas such as Mali and south Lebanon.

"France needs to refocus on national security issues. Ireland may well be able to be helpful in terms of picking up some of that burden in parts of the world where we have experience," Mr Coveney said.

"Nothing is confirmed yet. What we have said is there is a willingness to be helpful here, because France has asked for help," he added.