Vol. 741 No. 1
5 Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence the progress made on the current mission in the Lebanon since the arrival of troops there; the number of Irish troops currently on location there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25055/11]
Ireland has participated in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, since its establishment in 1978. UNIFIL's mandate has been extended by the UN Security Council on an annual basis. On 30 August the Security Council extended the current mandate of UNIFIL until 31 August 2012. UNIFIL continues to play a critical role in helping to promote peace and stability in southern Lebanon. Following a request from the United Nations, Dáil Éireann approved the deployment of a contingent of Permanent Defence Force personnel to UNIFIL on 21 April.
An advance party of 47 personnel of the 104th Infantry Battalion, together with a work party of 42 personnel, deployed to southern Lebanon on 30 May. The work party has since been repatriated. The deployment of the main body of the 104th Infantry Battalion was completed on 27 June. Currently, a total of 454 Irish personnel are serving with UNIFIL, including nine personnel at the force headquarters in Naqoura.
The Irish battalion is based in sector west of UNIFIL's area of operations in an area designated by the force commander, centred on the major towns of Tibnin and Bint Jubyal and the Blue Line which separates Lebanon and Israel. On arrival in Lebanon, the Irish battalion took over UN Post 6-5, renamed Camp Shamrock in Tibnin, followed by two forward UN posts, namely, UN Posts 6-50 and 6-52, and declared full operational capability on 27 July . The battalion now has responsibility for an area of operations measuring approx 140 sq km and which incorporates 11.3 kms of the Blue Line.
The Defence Forces have advised that the security situation in the Irish battalion area of operations is assessed as "calm" and the situation in the UNIFIL area of operations remains calm but unpredictable. The overall threat, from a UNIFIL perspective, for UNIFIL military personnel is assessed as "medium". There is no direct threat to UNIFIL personnel in the area of operations. However, the threat from improvised explosive devices, IEDs, is assessed as "high" along the coastal route to Beirut, in particular following attacks on Italian and French UNIFIL convoys on 27 May and 26 July, respectively, in the vicinity of Sidon.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
The Defence Forces battalion has been tasked primarily with patrolling, reconnaissance and ground-holding, while operating in close co-ordination and co-operation with the Lebanese armed forces in sector west. It is expected that the Finnish contingent will deploy with the Irish battalion by mid-2012. The Irish contingent will reduce once the Finnish forces deploy. Personnel of the 104th Infantry Battalion are scheduled to rotate in November.
The Defence Forces are playing a real and substantive role in helping to stabilise southern Lebanon and making a vital and important contribution to the success of the UNIFIL mission, as they have done throughout the world on so many occasions in the past.
People may be genuinely surprised to realise there are 454 personnel serving in Lebanon. We should continue to publicise this fact and praise the work they have done there. I noticed in the local media during the summer that locally based soldiers were writing articles about their work in Lebanon and it struck me that we should increase awareness of this. The 454 personnel all attended certain schools. Perhaps the Defence Forces might engage in some form of communications exercise with local schools, without giving too much away, to build knowledge of the work done by the Defence Forces in Lebanon. We have had a relationship with Lebanon since the 1970s but not enough work has been done during that time to build on the relationship.
On another issue, if our operations in Lebanon are being reviewed as part of the CS4 reorganisation, to which the Minister referred, will we still be in a position to maintain this level of deployment in Lebanon next year?
I agree with the Deputy. We should be proud of what our forces do in Lebanon, as well as of the small contingents of members of the Defence Forces located in other parts of the world that are engaged in peacekeeping and peace support activities. It would be a good idea that there would be greater knowledge within the wider community of what is happening in Lebanon. The welcome visit by President McAleese will bring a focus to bear in this regard. Unfortunately, the reality in this media age is that good works of this nature being done often only get a media focus when an event of some kind takes place. Very often it is an event that gives rise to casualties or concerns as opposed to the fact we have troops on the ground and the area is calm and they are substantially contributing to maintaining that calm. I was engaged in discussions with the Chief of Staff with regard to some humanitarian works in which the troops will be engaged to the benefit of the local community, which has been a tradition of the Irish force there.
In response to the query regarding Ireland's continuing engagement, as Minister for Defence I am committed to Ireland's continued engagement in missions of this nature. They are crucial to showing we have an ongoing commitment to peacekeeping and that the Defence Forces have a valuable level of experience they can contribute to such missions. This is one of the crucial reasons for one of my objectives, which is to try to maintain numbers at approximately 9,500 personnel, thereby retaining the capability and operational capacity to engage in this way on the international stage.
6 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding requests for deployment of the Defence Forces, including expert personnel, overseas; his plans in relation to future Defence Forces overseas missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25088/11]
Ireland has offered, through the United Nations standby arrangements system, UNSAS, to provide up to 850 military personnel for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to approximately 10% of Ireland's standing Army, excluding reserves, and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable commitment that Ireland can make to overseas peacekeeping operations.
Ireland is contributing 524 Defence Forces personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed are the UNIFIL mission, as mentioned, with 454 personnel, the NATO-led international security presence, KFOR, in Kosovo with 12 personnel, the EU training mission, EUTM, in Somalia with seven personnel, the EU-led operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina with seven personnel, and the NATO-led international security assistance force, ISAF, in Afghanistan with seven personnel. As I mentioned earlier, personnel of the 104th Infantry Battalion completed their deployment to UNIFIL on 27 June 2011. The Defence Forces deployment to UNIFIL will be for one year initially, subject to renewal of the mandate and a satisfactory review of the mission. Ireland's participation in the mission is expected to continue for three to four years.
Ireland receives requests from time to time for participation in various missions and these are considered case by case. When considering any particular request, the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate which has the potential to contribute to a political solution, consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy, and the degree of risk involved are among the factors considered. Apart from the recent deployment of a battalion to UNIFIL and the appointment of Colonel Michael Beary last month to the post of mission commander in Somalia, no other deployments are planned or envisaged at this time.
I thank the Minister for his response. I note from the figures supplied that of the 850 military personnel, only 524 have been deployed overseas. Consequently, it is fair to state the capability and capacity still exists. I ask the Minister to reaffirm his support for the triple lock mechanism in respect of overseas missions.
The Deputy asks me that question whenever Question Time is on defence matters.
It is not that I do not trust the Minister but is just——
The position has not changed from the first time I answered the question on the first occasion on which I took defence questions.
I will ask the question again the next time.
7 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the date on which the last meeting of the task force on emergency planning was held; the agenda for that meeting; when same is planned to hold a further meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25000/11]
The Government task force on emergency planning, which I chair, meets regularly, most recently on 30 June 2011. The next meeting is scheduled for 29 September 2011, which is next week. The task force was established following the 11 September attacks in 2001 and 70 meetings have been held to date. The role of the task force is to support co-ordination of emergency planning across Departments and agencies, to provide a forum for keeping emergency planning high on the agenda of all Departments and to examine any cross-cutting issues. Representation at the task force can be at ministerial level or more usually at senior official level.
While the details of matters discussed at meetings of the task force are confidential, I can confirm it examines current risks and supports co-ordination arrangements for emergency planning across the Government. At the last meeting, the task force received a comprehensive and valuable presentation from the Office of Public Works on flood forecasting and warning systems. There were also presentations from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources and from the office of emergency planning. At each meeting I have chaired, there normally has been one or more presentations on issues that could give rise to concerns or give rise to the need for an emergency response. It is a mechanism to ensure such issues are addressed on a cross-departmental basis and there is a possibility for dialogue and consideration of potential gaps that must be addressed. In addition, each meeting of the task force has a standing agenda item, which is referred to as an assessment of the current security threat and which is provided by An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces. Wearing my hat as both Minister for Justice and Equality and Minister for Defence, is a useful mechanism for cross-departmental briefings on issues that may be a matter of concern.
I thank the Minister for his response. The most recent meeting pertained to flood risk and advanced warning, and a presentation was given by the Office of Public Works. The previous meeting pertained to an update concerning the severe weather experienced last Christmas. It is clear there was a lack of leadership with regard to the severe weather experienced last Christmas. It took the outgoing Government a considerable length of time to initiate emergency planning and to decide who would be responsible for it. Has consideration being given to allowing the Defence Forces to lead that agency no matter what the crisis, whether it be flooding or some other severe weather issue? The Defence Forces have the skill set to carry out the requisite co-ordination. Moreover, has the lack of co-ordination last December between local authorities, the HSE and the Defence Forces been resolved? Are clear protocols in place to ensure the Army is not obliged to wait almost for a gold-plated invitation before it can provide the civil authorities with the assistance they so urgently need?
A number of recommendations were made to the task force arising from the weather events that took place last year and early this year and these are being taken on board. They are cross-departmental recommendations in the sense that they do not specifically apply to the Defence Forces. They require different Departments and local authorities to approach matters in a particular way. I do not believe it would be appropriate for the Department of Defence to take over matters because some of the skill sets in these areas are within that Department while others reside within other Departments. The emergency planning approach in Ireland to date has developed on the basis of what is known as the lead Department principle. This means that each Department is responsible for planning for and responding to those emergencies which will fall within its remit. In this context, there are certain emergencies, for example, in which the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is the lead Department. It would be my job as chairman of the taskforce to ensure that matters are duly co-ordinated and other assistance required from other Departments is provided.
The lead Department would be involved in making decisions and the taskforce, in a sense, is a backup to it. The lead Minister on environmental issues is the Minister, Deputy Hogan, not me. The taskforce would, if there was a major emergency derived from weather or another difficulty, meet and ensure the necessary co-operation took place.
I do not want to comment on difficulties that arose during the lifetime of the previous Government. I am doing what I can as chairman of the taskforce to ensure that we have the maximum co-ordination and co-operation. I think, in fairness, it also has to be acknowledged that occasionally weather events can occur that are a great deal more severe than may have originally been anticipated.
It is always easy to blame Governments for not predicting the weather completely correctly or predicting the consequences of a weather event. It is important that the recommendations made are implemented. I would emphasise that in the context of other weather events such as the fires we experienced during the summer months. Again, we were assured they were dealt with speedily. There was co-operation between the relevant local authorities and the Defence Forces.
I thank the Minister for his response. Can he assure the House the next severe emergency will not be dependent on whether it snows in counties Meath or Kilkenny and there will be some type of independent arbiter? The situation which arose last Christmas in my constituency should not occur again. Families were marooned for three weeks and the emergency planning strategy was not put in place because the Minister concerned happened to be on a sun holiday in the Mediterranean and did not believe it was an issue.
Can the Minister assure the House that such a situation will not arise again? Can he also assure the House that emergency vehicles and 4x4 ambulances will be made available in communities that do not have a local hospital, such as my constituency? Isolated rural communities are hugely dependent on the ambulance service. Emergency planning did not live up to its responsibilities last winter.
I can only say to the Deputy that I believe it is important that we plan properly and that we have in place the systems necessary to respond when emergencies arise, but we also have to remember that on occasion emergencies occur that may not have been anticipated and it is necessary to move personnel or vehicles to the location where an event occurs. There may be some timeframe involved or not. They should never be any timeframe which requires two or three weeks to elapse before there is an adequate response to an emergency.
8 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence his plans for general service recruitment to the Defence Forces for the remainder of 2011 and in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25086/11]
The Deputy will be aware of the restrictions on recruitment to the public service generally arising from the necessity to restore balance to the public finances. In the context of this challenge, the Government intends to maintain the operational efficiency of the Defence Forces to the greatest extent possible, as I mentioned earlier.
To this end, targeted recruitment was carried out in 2010 and to date in 2011. The military authorities have advised that to date in 2011 a total of 290 general service recruits have been enlisted. Given the particular circumstances of the Defence Forces it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to defence for 2012. As previously mentioned, there is a possibility that there will be some additional recruitment this year. Definitive decisions on that have yet to be made.
Does the Minister have any information on how many members of the Defence Forces will retire before the end of the year or in February, which seems to be the deadline? If so, is it possible to replace them? What is the policy of the Minister on members of the Defence Forces who are acting up or are in acting positions due to a lack of recruitment and promotion?
I reiterate it is not clear yet how many may retire during the course of this year. I can assure the Deputy that, in so far as retirements do take place, we will ensure that the necessary officers may be appointed to replace anyone who may retire at officer level. In so far as anyone may retire at private level or other levels within the Defence Forces, obviously this is an operational matter for discussion between me and the Chief of Staff.
As stated earlier, I am absolutely committed to maintaining both the capabilities of the Defence Forces and its operational capacity. This is a matter kept under continuing review. It is one of the reasons we are giving consideration to possibly having some additional recruitment before the end of this year.
Is there any information on those who are acting up because positions have not been filled? People are working in such roles because of the lack of recruitment. Has the Minister given any consideration to making any positions permanent or promoting people to permanent positions?
In that context, we are of course trying to ensure that, within the defence establishment, we keep within our financial envelope this year and within the restrictions that we have to operate within. There will be some further appointments made before the end of the year where currently there are gaps, but I cannot guarantee to the Deputy that all the gaps will necessarily be filled. There would be certain areas, obviously, that would be prioritised.
In terms of the Minister's plans for recruitment will he focus on any particular branch of the forces, such as the Army, navy or air corps?
In the context of recruitment, it is likely to cover the area of the Naval Service and the Army at this stage. The exact numbers have to be clarified and agreed. I am happy to keep the Deputy informed when decisions are made without the necessity of the Deputy tabling a Dáil question on the matter. I will do the same to facilitate Deputy O'Brien, who is spokesperson for Sinn Féin.
It is important — I want to emphasise this — that we recognise in straitened circumstances there is a limit to the manner in which we can deal with resources. With regard to recruitment, within the Department of Defence we have been very careful to stay within our resources and to produce efficiencies where necessary. That is why we may have some small leeway to recruit some additional people before the end of the year in circumstances where we are cognisant of retirements taking place.
9 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update in the EUTM Somalia, the EU mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces and the involvement of Defence Forces or any other personnel from this State; the aims of this project; the level of oversight and if this has changed due to the present famine conditions in the horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25089/11]
The EU training mission, or EUTM as it is known, in Somalia — there is an abbreviated version of every mission that people are engaged in — to train the security forces of the Somali Transitional Federal Government was launched on 7 April 2010 in implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 1872, 2009 and 1910, 2010. These resolutions urge the international community and organisations to provide technical assistance for the training of the Somali Security Forces.
The mandate of the mission is to train 2,000 selected Somali recruits in two intakes in the Bihanga camp, which is 300 km south west of Kampala in Uganda. Following Government approval, five members of the Defence Forces, two officers and three NCOs deployed to EUTM in Somalia in April 2010, for a period of 12 months to assist in the training of potential Somali non-commissioned officers, NCOs.
In June 2011, the Government approved continued participation in the mission for a further period of one year beyond August 2011, subject to an appropriate decision of the Council of the European Union authorising the extension of the mission. On 28 July 2011, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision extending the mission for a year.
The original mandate of the mission was to train 2,000 recruits in two intakes in Uganda. The second intake completed their training in July 2011. The mission has trained 1,776 personnel in total. The European External Action Service, EEAS, has recently completed its fourth mission assessment and noted that the reintegration and return to Mogadishu of the first intake of trained soldiers is complete and that planning is in train for the return to Mogadishu of the second intake of recruits.
Ireland's participation in Somalia is part of a larger effort to support, together with our EU partners, the creation of functioning, stable institutions there, without which there is little prospect of political progress in that troubled country. The devastating impact of the current famine in the country serves to underscore the need to make rapid progress toward achieving a representative and effective government. The adoption on 6 September of the roadmap for ending transition in Somalia represents a welcome step towards that goal.
Oversight of the mission is exercised in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty on European Union.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House.
The mission plan for the refocused mission has recently been finalised and was presented to the Political and Security Committee, PSC, on 13 September. Future training will focus on developing Somali command and control, specialised capabilities and Somali self-training expertise.
Colonel Michael Beary of the Defence Forces was appointed mission commander with effect from 9 August, succeeding Colonel Ricardo Gonzalez Elul of the Spanish armed forces. As mission commander, Colonel Beary is responsible for managing all aspects of the mission. He has a key role in interacting with Uganda as host nation, the United States, the United Nations and the African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM. He is also responsible for briefing the PSC in Brussels and Defence and Foreign Ministers at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings.
Ireland continues to contribute three personnel to a joint training team with the Maltese armed forces which are providing training in Bihanga Camp. Colonel Beary and two other Irish personnel are based in mission headquarters in Kampala. One other Defence Forces officer is based in the mission headquarters support cell in Brussels.
Regarding the ongoing humanitarian situation in Somalia, what training is being undertaken? Does it just relate to military operations or are we also giving assistance in terms of training in carrying out civil duties, including restoring political stability? Are we providing any training on the humanitarian aspects or is it solely military training?
The Government has been following and responding to the increasingly difficult situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa region for many months and has allocated more than €9 million in emergency assistance. On a per capita basis, Ireland’s contribution is one of the most significant responses to the crisis. Funding from Ireland has been used directly by the United Nations, the Red Cross and NGOs such as Concern and Trócaire to provide vital food, supplies, shelter, basic health care and clean water for thousands of people in some of the worst affected areas of the region. Thanks to this assistance, we believe the lives of hundreds of people are being saved every day across Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. In addition to the financial help, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through Irish Aid, has carried out two airlifts of humanitarian supplies from its prepositioned stockpiles in Dubai. Looking ahead, the Government is in ongoing contact with our partners in the region. We are actively examining options for the provision of further support and will do what we can to be of assistance. The problems of the region will not be adequately solved without political settlements and an end to the violence taking place on a regular basis and which, together with famine, is substantially contributing to the appalling plight of the tens of thousands of refugees dependent on aid in the region.
Are we also training the troops in how to respond to the humanitarian crisis, apart from the aid we are giving?
We are essentially training troops who, we hope, based on the ethos and principles we bring to the mission, will have a degree of insight in carrying out their duties when they return to Mogadishu. It is hoped this will prove to be a valuable contribution in achieving a degree of stability, but, of course, no one can guarantee this.
10 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 322 of 5 April 2011, when he expects the value for money review of the Reserve Defence Forces to be completed; if the steering committee has agreed on a timeframe for completion of this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25087/11]
As the Deputy is aware, a value for money review of the Reserve Defence Force commenced in February 2010. Significant progress has been made on the review and in the normal course of events I would have expected it to have been completed and that we would be commencing the implementation of the review findings.
The Government is fully engaged in making the difficult corrections necessary to consolidate the public finances. In this regard, a comprehensive review of expenditure is under way. All Departments are working with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in identifying potential expenditure cuts. The Department of Defence is no exception to this process and there has been a broad review across all defence expenditure. This priority has drawn on the team undertaking the value for money review of the Reserve Defence Force which has resulted in the need to extend the time required to collate and analyse value for money data and prepare draft findings. More importantly, specific recommendations relating to the Reserve Defence Force cannot be presented in isolation from the broader review of the defence Vote. Accordingly, finalisation of the value for money review will take account of the outcome of the comprehensive review of expenditure process. The steering committee will meet in the coming weeks to consider the progress made to date and agree the timeframe for the completion of the review, taking account of the comprehensive review of expenditure process under way.
Does the Minister agree that it has been a long time — some 18 months — since the committee commenced its work? When does he expect a report to finally issue? I ask him to outline his overall plans for the Reserve Defence Force? Does he agree that for decades the force has not had an objective or meaningful role beyond training? Will the forthcoming White Paper on defence contain a meaningful role it? Is it his intention that it should continue in existence? Is he aware that some people suggest we do not need a Reserve Defence Force anymore, while others suggest it should be used as in other countries and serve overseas? When is the White Paper on defence due to be published?
I am keenly aware of the concerns expressed by some of the members of the Reserve Defence Force. I attended the annual meeting and used my time to engage with members of the force and discuss their concerns. I am, of course, aware of the importance of maintaining the Reserve Defence Force and its role will be one of the issues to be addressed in the White Paper. I believe I would have told the House at an early stage that before we published a White Paper it was my intention to publish a Green Paper to afford an opportunity for public debate and input by Members of the House into the contents of the White Paper. I am conscious that the previous White Paper essentially laid down a prescription for the Defence Forces for more than a decade. I am conscious, therefore, of the timeframe that may apply to a new White Paper and I am anxious that Members and the general public have an opportunity to feed into the process. The White Paper will address issues relating to the Reserve Defence Force, but the Green Paper initially will do so also. It will afford members of the Reserve Defence Force the opportunity to feed into the deliberative process. I do not want to prejudge the future role of the Reserve Defence Force in the context of what I hope will prove to be a constructive public discussion and discussion in this House on the Green Paper when finalised which I hope will happen, if not before the end of this year, very early next year.
I welcome the announcement that a Green Paper will be published relatively soon. What is the effective strength of the Reserve Defence Force? Has any recruitment taken place in the past 12 months? What are the plans for further recruitment in the next 12 months?
I have a figure in my head for the current strength of the Reserve Defence Force, but I do not have the exact figure in the file. I do not want to give a figure to the Deputy without ensuring it is correct. I propose to furnish it to him later. There may be a difference between the formal number of members of the Reserve Defence Force and those who are actively engaged in training with it. There is a distinction in the figures, but I will certainly furnish the up-to-date figures to the Deputy.
11 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he accepts the need to maintain the strength, standard of equipment and readiness of the Defence Forces at all times notwithstanding financial curtailments arising from the EU-IMF bailout and having particular regard to the reliance on the Defence Forces in cases of emergency, natural disasters or terrorist activity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25043/11]
I am advised that at this time the Defence Forces retain the capacity to undertake the tasks laid down by the Government both at home and overseas, as clearly evidenced by the numbers currently overseas, as detailed in response to earlier questions.
As I seem to be saying repetitively this afternoon, the Government is undertaking a comprehensive review of expenditure and my Department has submitted a report as part of that process. The report sets out in clear terms the options available to the Government with regard to defence funding. The outcome of the comprehensive review of expenditure will determine the future resource envelope available to the Department of Defence. The Deputy will appreciate that as this is an ongoing deliberative process, I am not at liberty to discuss the detail of my Department's submission at this time.
I note the Deputy's point about the wide range of roles assigned to the Defence Forces. In many states military capabilities are retained solely for national defence contingencies or overseas missions. In Ireland the Permanent Defence Force is also utilised on an ongoing basis to provide a broad range of security and other services. The outputs of the defence organisation form an integral part of a multidimensional defence, security and support framework. This framework encompasses the outputs of other organisations such as my other Department, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and An Garda Síochána. This approach maximises the utility the State accrues from the Defence Forces.
The defence organisation has a proven track record of successful reform and modernisation. For more than a decade reform has been driven internally, following a series of external reviews in the 1990s. This modernisation agenda has resulted in all elements of the defence organisation downsizing. In contrast to the general trend in the public service, defence expenditure decreased in real terms in the period from 2002. This period also saw a rebalancing of defence expenditure with investment in new equipment and infrastructure, which is of substantial importance to ensure the Defences Forces are fully able to meet all of their obligations and commitments.
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. He has indicated there have been repeated questions from Members in this respect. Does he accept that in times of economic difficulty there was always a tendency for the Defence Forces to become victims of financial constraints? Given the reliance on them in the past 12 months, in particular, does the Minister agree that it is imperative that we ensure we retain the maximum level of equipment and personnel in order to provide the civil authorities with the necessary backup, as required, whether in assisting the fire fighting service in flood relief work or in attending to any of the many and varied duties they have been called upon to carry out?
I hope the Deputy will not take anything more from my responding "Yes" to what he said. I agree with what he said. It is important we maintain the capabilities of the Defence Forces, the numbers for which are close to 9,500, to reflect the numbers in the 1970s. It is important to ensure we can meet our international obligations and that the Defence Forces can adequately respond to assist the civil power, where necessary, in the context of the broad range of activities in which they engage such as those mentioned by Deputy Naughten, including assisting in dealing with the impact of climatic conditions that create unexpected emergencies. The Defence Forces play a role, for example, in security matters in Portlaoise Prison. They also perform a broad range of roles domestically, not all of which the public would necessarily be aware of. My challenge in the years ahead will be to sustain their capabilities within the reduced resource envelope generally available to the Government. I agree with Deputy Durkan's statement that it is important that we do so. It is my task to try to achieve this and I would appreciate support from all Members of the House in being successful in that task.
I thank the Minister for his extended reply. I welcome his commitment to ensure the Defence Forces are kept at maximum strength and have the maximum level of required equipment. He can be assured of the support of Members of the House, particularly those of us who come from a constituency with a military tradition. If he requires the assistance of Members across the House during the course of any discussions that might take place on budgetary matters, I ask that he call on us.
We are not normally that shy.
He will find us most willing.
I will allow Deputy Stanton to ask a brief question.
Will the Minister comment on the strength and state of readiness of the Naval Service which performs many of its functions over the horizon in increasingly difficult and dangerous conditions? Will he comment on the extension of the maritime economic zone and the extra responsibilities being given to the Naval Service, in particular, and the need for it to have the best of resources because it operates in very dangerous conditions?
As I said on 31 August, there are 1,005 personnel within the Naval Service. I would have mentioned in a reply to Deputy Calleary that, in the context of possible additional recruitment this year, I envisaged that a portion would apply to the Naval Service. I am conscious of its obligations and extended jurisdiction or remit. It is important that we bear this in mind in addressing the issue of the number of personnel available to it to carry out its duties.
12 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the discussions he has had with EU-UN colleagues in the matter of ongoing or further deployment of the Defence Forces overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25044/11]
As stated earlier, Ireland is contributing 524 Defence Forces personnel to 11 missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, with 454 personnel, and the NATO-led international security presence, KFOR, in Kosovo, with 12 personnel. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with the United Nations and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE. Personnel are also deployed at the organisational headquarters of the European Union, the OSCE and NATO.
Ireland recently participated in the Nordic Battlegroup which was on stand-by from 1 January to 30 June. The other countries contributing to the battlegroup were Sweden, acting as the framework nation, Finland, Norway and Estonia. Our contribution was a reconnaissance company, together with staff posts at both the operational and force headquarters amounting to approximately 150 personnel.
Ireland is committed to participation in the Austro-German-led battlegroup which will be on stand-by for the second six months of 2012. Other contributors to that battlegroup are Austria, Germany, the Czech Republic, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Ireland's contribution to the battlegroup will again be a reconnaissance company.
The total of 524 Defence Forces personnel serving overseas represents a significant contribution to international peacekeeping operations and the obligations Ireland has assumed through its membership of the United Nations. The recent deployment to UNIFIL has significantly increased the number of troops serving overseas, compared to the numbers serving in more recent times.
For the information of the House, I will be attending an informal meeting of EU Ministers for Defence which will be held in Wroclaw, Poland both tomorrow and Friday. For part of the day tomorrow I will also be attending a meeting of European Justice Ministers which is taking place in Brussels. On leaving Poland I will return to Brussels for the completion of that meeting. At this meeting I will have the opportunity to have discussions with the other EU Ministers for Defence and the operation and mission commanders of the main EU operations, including Colonel Michael Beary of the Irish Defence Forces. As mentioned earlier, Colonel Beary became mission commander of EUTM Somalia on 9 August — the European Union's mission to train Somali security forces in Uganda. Seven members of the Defence Forces are serving with this mission. The fact that Colonel Beary was named as mission commander is a clear illustration of the high esteem with which the Defence Forces are held at United Nations level. In advance of him being so appointed, I was engaged in discussions on the appointment being made at the request of the United Nations.
In addition, the Department constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. However, following the deployment to UNIFIL and given the current straitened financial circumstances, it is not anticipated that there will be any major similar deployments in the foreseeable future.
I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. We can join him in congratulating the Defence Forces, particularly given the high esteem in which they are held and the manner in which they discharge their duties worldwide. Notwithstanding the straitened economic circumstances in which we find ourselves, would it be helpful, given their experience, to, at least, keep open the prospect of meeting other deployment requirements that might arise from time to time, lest in the current economic climate the Defence Forces would not be as available as they otherwise might? I know that is a Government decision and I respect that. However, I ask the Minister to keep in mind the necessity in order to have well-equipped and sharp Defence Forces and to have them on regular duty of that nature.
I assure the Deputy that is the case. I mentioned earlier that we have up to 850 members of the Defence Forces who could be deployed abroad. I was merely making the case that as we have in excess of 450 in Lebanon, we do not have the capacity to send a similar large number abroad. Clearly, if we receive a request from the United Nations to participate in other missions or to deploy small numbers of members of the Defence Forces in circumstances where there is a real contribution to be made to peacekeeping or peace enforcement, the Government retains an open mind on such deployments and does not rule them out as a possibility.
I agree with Deputy Durkan that the Defence Forces are the victim of their own compliance. I am from a garrison town and my grandfather was a sergeant major in the Army. I know there is great concern about the number of non-commissioned officers who are above the age of 40. We must ensure that members of the Defence Forces are not too old to travel overseas.
According to the White Paper, the complement of the Defence Forces should be 10,500. It is now down to 9,500. I have serious concerns that the number will be reduced further. I would like the Minister to comment on this.
I am anxious to ensure, in the difficult financial circumstances in which we find ourselves, that the Defence Forces retain their operational capabilities to contribute to international peacekeeping missions and to participate in providing assistance to the civil power when that is necessary, such as during the type of climatic emergencies we saw in the past 12 months. It is part of my objective to ensure, in so far as is possible, that we maintain levels of personnel in or about the current numbers. I am anxious to ensure we do not go below the 9,500 figure that is the position at present. In that context, an overall review is being undertaken as to how we can utilise resources most efficiently for the benefit of the Defence Forces to ensure no funding is wasted which results in no value for the expenditure, how we might ensure the Defence Forces operate with the maximum efficiency, and how best we might use the training received by members of the Defence Forces. That is part of the overall financial review being conducted in which we are looking at all aspects of Defence Forces expenditure. We may have choices between spending money on the maintenance of buildings and reducing numbers within the Defence Forces or between retaining numbers and making decisions that require other efficiencies. These are all matters under consideration at present. No final decisions have been made by Cabinet but they are under active consideration.
I share the Deputy's concern that numbers should not fall below 9,500. I welcome her concern and those of Deputies Durkan and Stanton, who expressed similar views. I am not trying to make a party political point. I think Deputies Calleary and O'Brien are probably of a similar view.
The Minister might record my name among them.
And Deputy Naughten, whom I did not intend to leave off the list.
Nothing gets past Deputy Naughten.
The Minister did not answer my question about the age of non-commissioned officers.
I referred previously to the fact that more than 200 Defence Forces personnel were recruited during the course of this year. It is vital to ensure a degree of age balance. There is intake into the Defence Forces, bearing in mind the number of retirements that occur. A definitive decision has not been taken nor the numbers finalised, but I think it likely that there will be some additional recruitment to the Defence Forces before the end of this year.
Written Answers follow Adjournment.
