Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Dec 2000

Vol. 527 No. 4

Written Answers. - European Rapid Reaction Force.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

41 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence if he attended the informal meeting of the EU Defence Ministers on 20 November 2000; if he will give details of the delegation attending the meeting; the main issues raised by him; and the outcome of the meetings in so far as Ireland is concerned. [28557/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

45 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the plans he has to increase the strength of the Defence Forces in view of Ireland's intended commitment to European defence and security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28626/00]

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

48 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the implications for the Defence Forces budget with regard to the decision to participate in the proposed European Rapid Reaction Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28688/00]

Ivor Callely

Question:

51 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the likely role of the Defence Forces in the new European Rapid Reaction Force and other developments in European defence and security matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28510/00]

John Gormley

Question:

52 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the outcome of the recent capabilities conference establishing the new EU Rapid Reaction Force; and, in particular, the proposed command structure for the Rapid Reaction Force. [27925/00]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

59 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Defence the future spending requirements for Irish Defence Forces in view of our new commitments to the EU's Rapid Reaction Force and NATO's Partnership for Peace. [27927/00]

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

64 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the way in which he will make provision for the Light Infantry Battalion, Army Ranger Detachment and HQ Support arising from our commitment to the European Rapid Reaction Force; and if he will give details of the logistical and practical arrangements proposed and costings. [28556/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

73 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the proposals he has for the provision of extra facilities in terms of training, equipment and technology in the context of Ireland's participation in the European Rapid Response Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28627/00]

Brendan Howlin

Question:

80 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Defence the implications for the Defence Forces of the decision to participate in the proposed European Rapid Reaction Force; the number of troops which will be committed; if the commitment will have any implications for the capacity of the Defence Forces to participate in direct United Nations operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28689/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

112 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces will receive training in preparation for participation in the European Rapid Response Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28969/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

113 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree to which military equipment is likely to be upgraded arising from participation in the European Rapid Response Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28970/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

114 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree to which the Air Corps is likely to receive extra training and equipment from Ireland's participation in the European Rapid Reaction Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28971/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

115 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree to which the Naval Service is likely to avail of extra training and equipment in anticipation of our participation in the European Rapid Reaction Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28972/00]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 45, 48, 51, 52, 59, 64, 73, 80, 112, 113, 114 and 115 together.

On 20-21 November, my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Brennan, attended the capabilities commitment conference held in Brussels. The Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the General Affairs Council embodying security and defence elements and the associated conference meetings with the third countries wishing to contribute to the EU headline goal.

The delegation otherwise comprised the relevant officials of my own Department, civil and military, led at assistant secretary level, and those of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The conference provided the opportunity for EU countries, including Ireland, to indicate formally the resources they can make available for potential humanitarian or crisis management operations. These contributions were made in the context of the voluntary headline goal agreed at the European Council at Helsinki last year.

Ireland offered to contribute up to 850 members of the Defence Force to the headline goal from within our existing commitment of 850 personnel to the United Nations Standby Arrangements System. The largest element of the commitment involves a light infantry battalion of up to 750 personnel, along with an Army Ranger Wing platoon of 40, in addition to small numbers in national support, headquarters and observer elements which make up the remainder.

A declaration by EU member states was issued after the conference which outlined progress to date on the elaboration of the voluntary goal in the lead-up to the Nice European Council. It clearly stated that the Union's contribution to international security would be made in keeping with the principles of the UN charter. Moreover, it reiterated that these steps did not imply the creation of a European Army.

In summary, Ireland's contribution of up to 850 members of our Defence Forces does not in any way affect our long-standing policy of military neutrality to which the Government remains firmly committed. Nor is any mutual defence arrangement involved.

Participation by Ireland in any Petersberg mission remains a sovereign decision to be taken by the Government. The Government will decide on a case by case basis whether, when and how to commit either troops or other resources. In our interventions at the conference, Ireland reiterated these points and specified that in our case, in compliance with the terms of the relevant Irish legislation, we will participate only in missions authorised by the United Nations.

The commitments made in relation to the EU headline goal must be seen in the context of Ireland's long-standing support for overseas peace support operations authorised by the United Nations. In this regard, the White Paper on Defence, published earlier this year, set out key elements of the Government's approach to overseas peace support operations and I wish to refer to a number of the most important and relevant elements.

The White Paper sets out a comprehensive strategy for a reshaping and re-equipping of the Defence Forces to ensure that they are geared for the opportunities and challenges of the changing security and defence environment. This strategy embraces organisation, equipment, training and technology aspects. In this context, the White Paper contains the strategy for Defence Forces strength and organisation for the next ten years and concluded that the Defence Forces require a strength of 10,500 personnel, ready to fulfil current tasks at home and abroad.

Ireland's commitment of up to 850 members of the Defence Forces to the EU headline goal is to be met from within the United Nations standby arrangements system commitment of 850 members on overseas service at any time. This overall UNSAS commitment will be met on an ongoing basis from the current approved strength of the Permanent Defence Force of 10,500 as agreed in the context of the White Paper on Defence.

The White Paper detailed existing equipment programmes, including that for 40 new armoured personnel carriers. Future equipment requirements are already the subject of examination within my Department by the high level civil-military planning and procurement group established under the White Paper and are being funded from within the existing procurement financial provisions and savings realised from the reduction in Permanent Defence Forces personnel numbers. This programme will ensure that the Defence Forces are in a position to contribute to modern peace support operations.

In relation to military training, the White Paper recognised that the primary focus of the Defence Forces when not engaged in operations is training and preparation. As a reflection of the defence and security environment, including developments in relation to the headline goal, increased emphasis will be placed on exercises stressing interoperability, procedures and doctrine.

With regard to the financial position generally, the White Paper acknowledged the trend for many overseas peace support missions to be financed by the participating countries. This will increase the overall net cost of overseas operations in a situation where the proportion of mis sions with a reimbursement facility declines. The general strategy for the management of the Defence Vote within existing resources will set the context for all defence programmes, including overseas operations.

On the question of participation by Air Corps and Naval Service elements in the EU Headline Goal, the position has been that the bulk of overseas commitments have in the past been met by the Army and this position is likely to pertain for the future. The precise contribution to be made by the Defence Forces will be considered on a case by case basis having regard to the requirements of the individual mission. Similarly the precise logistical and practical arrangements associated with the deployment of any of the headline goal commitments will depend on the type and nature of the mission in question.

I would reiterate that Ireland's ongoing participation in the development of European security and defence policy is fully consistent with our policy of neutrality and our commitment to international peace and security. We therefore approach this task in a positive and constructive spirit. The planned contribution to the EU headline goal in no way degrades our commitment to UN peacekeeping. This contribution reinforces in a very conspicuous way our continued intention to support efforts to maximise international peace and stability. At a time when the UN increasingly looks to regional organisations to undertake peace support operations on its behalf, it is critical to support efforts at EU level to give effect to the provisions of the Treaty of Amsterdam. What is involved in developing the headline goal is no more than giving effect to the Treaty.

Furthermore, the recent Brahimi report on the overhaul of UN peace operations contains many points of similarity with the approach taken by the EU on capabilities, including rapid reaction. EU and UN processes should be mutually reinforcing. EU-UN relations in the military crisis management area – in relation to the Petersberg tasks – and the proposed structure for the rapid reaction force will be further developed during the forthcoming Swedish EU Presidency.