Trevor Sargent
Question:18 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Defence if depleted uranium and cluster bombs will be part of the armaments available to the European Rapid Reaction Force; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13161/03]
Written Answers. - European Rapid Reaction Force.
The Defence Forces do not posses armaments of the type referred to by the Deputy.
It is an inevitable fact that in war, the use of all armaments by combating forces can result in horrendous consequences for both combatants and, unfortunately, for non-combatants. Recent images and reports from the war in Iraq have illustrated these consequences in very stark detail.
During 2001, Deputies will recall that concerns were raised about Irish troops serving in Kosovo who might have been exposed to depleted uranium in their area or operations. At that time, a Defence Forces investigative team was sent to the Balkans and their findings confirmed normal levels of background radiation and, on the basis of the available evidence, that the threat to the health of Irish troops serving in the Balkans was negligible.
A similar opinion on depleted uranium, published on 6 March 2001, by a group of experts established under Article 31 of the EURATOM Treaty also concluded, with some qualifications, based on realistic assumptions of the doses that might have been received that exposure could not produce any detectable health effects. This opinion provided further reassurance to troops who served in the Balkans during that time.
The EU is engaged in developing capabilities for Petersberg Tasks, that is peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. Such peace support operations are, of their nature, grounded on the use, in the first instance, of consultation and mediation to achieve the operation's objectives. The use of military force is only considered when absolutely necessary and then usually only in self defence.
As part of the planning process for a Petersberg Task operation, a concept of operation, which includes the operation plan and rules of engagement, is developed and is specifically tailored to the nature of the proposed operation. It is at this stage that the specific military capabilities which would be required are identified. In accordance with EU crisis management pro cedures the concept of operation is submitted to the Council for approval by unanimity.
While discussions have not taken place at EU level on the use of the weapons described by the Deputy, I obviously cannot rule out the possibility that such discussions might be raised by other member states in the context of future planning for specific operational scenarios.
In that event Ireland would have to carefully consider the options presented in the light of the specific nature of the peace support operation under consideration.
The current EU operation, Operation Concordia, in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, is an example of a Petersberg Tasks operation which is giving tangible effect to the EU's objectives of assisting countries suffering from the consequences of conflict and instability. In so far as I am aware, armaments of the type mentioned by the Deputy are not issued to the small force involved in this mission.