Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 2

Written Answers. - Partnership for Peace.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

35 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which Army training equipment and procedures will change in the event of Ireland joining Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9417/99]

Richard Bruton

Question:

41 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence the implications for the Defence Forces of the Government's decision to join Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9287/99]

Tom Enright

Question:

62 Mr. Enright asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, made for the Defence Forces to join Partnership for Peace; the discussions, if any, he has had with the forces in this regard; the implication for resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9256/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

109 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the preparations, if any, made for Ireland's membership of Partnership for Peace; the implications for resources for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9483/99]

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

124 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, made for the Defence Forces to join Partnership for Peace; the discussions, if any, he has had with the Defence Forces in this regard; the implication for resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9316/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 35, 41, 62, 109 and 124 together.

The question of Ireland's participation in Partnership for Peace was the subject of a Private Members' motion and debate on 28 January 1999 in this House culminating in the passing by the House of a Government resolution undertaking favourably to examine further Ireland's participation in PfP taking into account the ongoing public debate. I dealt extensively with this matter when I replied to questions in the House on 25 February 1999.

In addition my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in a reply to a question on 30 March 1999, reiterated the point that any decision by the Government in favour of Ireland's participation in PfP would be submitted to the House for its approval and would make clear the nature and scope of such participation.

As regards implications for the Defence Forces of a decision to participate in PfP, as I have indicated previously to the House, I would envisage that any possible future role for the Defence Forces would be in the area of peacekeeping, humanitarian and rescue tasks. Participants in PfP subscribe to a framework document which sets out the basic purposes and objectives of PfP. In addition, individual states decide on the scope and extent of their participation in PfP activities and in this regard agree individual partnership programmes covering the activities to which they wish to subscribe. In Ireland's case, should we decide to participate in PfP, it is envisaged that selected activities would, as I have said, include peacekeeping under a UN mandate, humanitarian and rescue tasks. These are activities in line with our traditional involvement and experience in these areas.

Since there has been no decision to participate in PfP, and in view of the nature of any envisaged participation by the Defence Forces, the question of implications for resources and procedures for the Defence Forces does not arise at this juncture. Having said that, it is the policy of the Government to ensure the Defence Forces are adequately trained, equipped and resourced to undertake whatever overseas operations with which they are tasked from time to time.