Written Answers. - Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
47
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Defence
if he has had any recent discussions with his fellow EU ministers regarding future participation by the Defence Forces in European defence and security structures; if any recent discussions have taken place within the context of Ireland's participation in Partnership for Peace; if any requests have been made for greater participation by the Defence Forces in such security structures arising from any submissions made by his ministerial partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17583/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
104
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Defence
the extra responsibilities if any imposed on Ireland's Defence Forces arising from participation in Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17751/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
105
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Defence
the number of meetings he and/or representatives of his Department have had with regard to Ireland's participation in the EU defence and security structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17752/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
106
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Defence
if Irish naval and Air Corps personnel are likely to be given new responsibilities arising from European defence and security policy developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17753/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
107
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Defence
if he has satisfied himself as to the adequacy of the military equipment and training available to the Defence Forces in the context of obligations arising from participation in Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17754/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
108
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Defence
his policy in relation to Ireland's obligations under Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17755/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 104, 105, 106, 107 and 108 together.
I regularly attend meetings of the ministerial council of the Western European Union which take place twice a year, most recently in Oporto. I also attended with my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the General Affairs Council meeting on 20 March 2000. I have had no other discussions with my fellow EU Ministers regarding future participation by the Defence Forces in European defence and security structures.
As the House will recall, the Helsinki European Council in December, 1999 agreed on a voluntary target for establishing capabilities for Pet ersberg tasks . This target, known as a "Headline Goal", which member states aim to meet by the year 2003, involves the ability to deploy 50,000 to 60,000 personnel within sixty days and to sustain that deployment for one year. This would roughly equate to a mission of a scale comparable to that of KFOR in Kosovo.
At Helsinki last December, the European Council called for the creation of new Brussels-based bodies and structures to enhance the EU's ability to take informed and effective decisions in the area of Petersberg tasks.
The principal such body is the interim political and security committee. Ireland is represented on that committee by a senior official from the Department of Foreign Affairs. An interim military body, which has been established to provide military advice as required, to the political and security committee, is also meeting. Ireland is represented by a Defence Forces officer with the rank of colonel, who works under the guidance of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in close consultation with my Department.
The General Affairs Council, with participation as appropriate by Defence Ministers, was tasked to progress the elaboration of this target and to develop a method of consultation through which the target could be met and maintained and progress reviewed. This process is under way.
The General Affairs Council identified the process for further elaborating the headline and capability goals in the perspective of a capabilities pledging conference to be convened by the end of 2000.
The question of what contribution Ireland can make will be considered in the context of this process, taking account of the voluntary and case by case nature of Petersberg tasks, current overseas commitments and security requirements at home.
As the House will be aware, Ireland joined Partnership for Peace on 1 December 1999. The areas of interest to Ireland in Partnership for Peace are set out in the presentation document which was approved by Dáil Éireann on 9 November 1999 and which was presented to the NATO secretariat upon signature by Ireland of the PfP Framework Document on 1 December 1999.
On the basis of its presentation document, Ireland will develop, in consultation with the NATO secretariat, an individual partnership programme which will cover a two year period initially and which will set out the level and extent of proposed participation in such areas as co-operation in peacekeeping principles, doctrine, training and exercises and inter-operability in peacekeeping operations. At present preparatory work in relation to the individual partnership programme is ongoing.
It will be recalled that participation in PfP is entirely voluntary and is based on the principle of self-differentation, that is, a state selects for itself the nature and scope of its participation in PfP activities.
This two year programme will be developed having regard to the State's own requirements in relation to the roles of the Defence Forces as set out in the White Paper on Defence and taking account of resource implications.
The White Paper sets out a comprehensive strategy for the management and development of defence over the next ten years. The White Paper also sets out the broad development programmes for the Air Corps and the Naval Service, focusing on the implementation of the decisions on new equipment and the effectiveness and efficiency measures under the Review Implementation Plans.
The White Paper includes an investment programme for the Defence Forces involving an additional £250 million in new equipment and infrastructure.
It is the policy of the Government to ensure that the Defence Forces are adequately trained, equipped and resourced to undertake whatever activities with which they may tasked from time to time. In this regard participation in PfP does not involve the imposition of any changes in Defence Forces training procedures and equipment.
