Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 December 2023
44. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that Irish neutrality is being upheld (details supplied), considering the recent training of Ukrainian soldiers at Kilworth army camp in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54142/23]
View answerThe training referred to in this question was in relation to the NATO Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) evaluation that took place in Kilworth Training Camp, in November 2023. OCC is an evaluation and feedback process that provides for external evaluation by trained evaluators of declared military capabilities in accordance with NATO standards.
Ireland has engaged in this programme since 2016, the experience gained through the practical interaction between allies and partners has been very valuable. Ireland’s participation in OCC is seen as fundamental to Ireland being able to meet its obligations in providing professional peacekeepers for multinational crisis management and peacekeeping operations mandated by the UN. Engaging in the OCC process contributes to the interoperability effectiveness of the Defence Forces; the ambition to meet the NATO standards and benchmarks; contributes to the professional development of the Defence Forces, and enhances force protection.
The unit that was assessed in November was the 2 Field Engineer Company, this was the 5th evaluation that the Defence Forces has completed. Other units that have gone through the process is an Armoured Cavalry Squadron, the Army Ranger Wing, the Naval Service and an Artillery Battery.
A key component of OCC is the availability of Evaluators to assess units undergoing OCC; in order to ensure there is a pool of evaluators OCC Evaluator Training Courses run in tandem with OCC Evaluations. Training Courses are open to partners and allies. In November a total of 22 students, from partner nations and allies, completed the Evaluator Training Course in Kilworth. Included in these students were 4 personnel from Ukraine.
The provision of such training to foreign military as part of a NATO partner country initiative does not, in any way, contravene Ireland’s policy of military neutrality.
As practised by successive Irish governments, Ireland’s policy of military neutrality means we do not participate in military alliances or mutual defence arrangements.
Ireland is not a party to the Hague Convention (V) respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers and Persons in Case of War on Land. The application of this Convention, accordingly, does not arise.
