Written Answers. - Rapid Reaction Force.
John Bruton
Question:
30
Mr. J. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Defence
the criteria for the use of the EU Rapid Reaction Force; the range in kilometres outside the EU's boundaries beyond which the Rapid Reaction Force would not be logistically capable of going; and if there is a plan to clarify or elaborate on the Petersberg tasks to provide better guidelines to Europe's citizens as to the concrete conditions and locations in which the Rapid Reaction Force might be used.
[20965/01]
Trevor Sargent
Question:
36
Mr. Sargent
asked the
Minister for Defence
the progress to date in the development of the EU's Rapid Reaction Force.
[24469/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 36 together.
In so far as my role as Minister for Defence is concerned the criteria for the use of EU capabilities to carry out humanitarian and crisis management tasks have their basis in the provisions of the Treaty on European Union and have been elaborated in the conclusions of successive European Councils since Cologne.
A decision by the EU to undertake a humanitarian or crisis management task would be taken by the Council of the European Union, which would have the responsibility and overall direction for any EU-led humanitarian or crisis management operation – Petersberg tasks. In the context of the objective of achieving the EU Headline Goal – otherwise known as the Rapid Reaction Force – by 2003, the EU has not yet reached the state of preparedness to undertake a Petersberg task.
The voluntary nature of participation by EU member states in any Petersberg task is a key principle in the development of European security and defence policy. A decision for any EU member state to participate in a particular EU-led Petersberg operation will be taken by that member state on a sovereign basis, in accordance with their internal procedures. Participation in any potential EU Petersberg operation, in keeping with the Government's stated position in this area, will be considered on a case by case basis and Ireland will only participate in operations authorised by the UN as comprehended by the appropriate legislation, that is, the Defence Act, 1954, the Defence (Amendment) No 2 Act, 1960, and the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1993. The decisions taken by individual member states will subsequently be confirmed through the framework of the EU Council.
Planning work is ongoing in relation to developing the capabilities required to meet the headline goal by the target date of 2003. A capabilities improvement conference is scheduled to take place on 19-20 November 2001 to review progress to date and to address any shortfalls which have been identified.
While certain informal figures have been used for planning purposes, no formal geographic limit has been established for the deployment of EU crisis management capabilities. There have been no specific decisions taken by the EU on the points raised by the Deputy in relation to the geographical scope of the so-called Rapid Reaction Force.
Finally, the provision of information to citizens regarding possible deployment of EU crisis management capabilities is generally regarded by member states as being primarily a matter for national governments. In Ireland's case, the Government has made considerable efforts to facilitate thorough and factually-based debate on Ireland's participation in the development of European security and defence policy. It is intended that every effort should be made to keep people informed of ongoing developments in this area in the period ahead.
Question No. 31 answered with Question No. 16.
