Pádraig MacLochlainn
Question:130. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence if he will meet the family of a person (details supplied). [12876/14]
Other Questions
Defence Forces Fatalities
We have discussed this matter previously, which concerns the circumstances that led to the killing of Private Hugh Doherty and Private Kevin Joyce. Their families have requested a meeting with the Minister and I seek an update in that regard.
The case of the death of Private Doherty, as well as the disappearance of Private Joyce to which the Deputy refers, has already been outlined in my reply to a priority question earlier. As I mentioned to the Deputy in the Dáil last month, I am always willing to meet the families. I received a request to meet with the family and my office has been in touch with them in this regard. However, following my examination of documents received, I required clarity on several issues and have asked the military authorities to have a number of documents reviewed by the Army’s Provost Marshal. Once I receive a report on this, I plan to meet members of Private Doherty’s family, as requested by them, at a mutually convenient time and date.
I took some time to read through the extensive documentation that was furnished to me regarding matters of relevance and in respect of which some concerns have been expressed. When my life in this House calms down slightly, I hope to be able to meet with the families. Having read all the papers about which I raised queries and which I expect to receive responses to in the not-too-distant future, I hope it will prove possible to have a meeting, if not this side of Easter, then shortly after the Easter vacation. I do not know if it will prove possible to do it this side of Easter because of various demands and commitments. I assure the Deputy a meeting will take place all the same.
I welcome the Minister’s commitment to meet with the family of Private Doherty. One issue of concern and alarm brought to my attention is that, during the original investigation carried out by Colonel Savino at the time, he did not interview any of the team with which the two privates served. Other issues of concern are the isolated nature of the observation post they were holding, as well as the fact bullet cases secured at the scene and ballistic evidence which may have helped identify the group responsible for the attack are now missing. Responsibility for the attack is not clear as it would have been attributed to the PLO, Palestine Liberation Organisation, at the time as the Amal militia would have been more aligned to the UN forces in southern Lebanon. There is also a concern about the fact the force's mobile reserve was withdrawn three days after the incident.
I have met with some of the Defence Forces members who served with the two privates. Would it be possible, because of their expertise in this matter, to have one or two of them present at the meeting along with the family members who acknowledge they would not have the level of expertise of the realities on the ground in southern Lebanon and the specific concerns of the investigation?
Having read through all the files and papers, there were clearly several issues of relevance to the tragic events that occurred on the day in question. It is also quite clear to me that a report relating to these matters was severely critical of the organisation surrounding two privates being on their own at the location in question. Speaking from memory of the report, there were issues with regard to communications, maintaining response in circumstances where it seemed communications had been lost, as well as a range of other issues. Some issues, as the Deputy knows, have been raised by former members of the Defence Forces who participated in that mission. Unfortunately, from my reading of matters, I do not believe these would contribute in any shape or form to locating the remains of Private Joyce, on the assumption he was killed. They would not add to the overall sum of knowledge ultimately of these events. There was a critical report done of the circumstances surrounding what occurred. It would be my preference to meet with the families to tease out matters with them. Before I do that, I want to get responses to some queries I have raised.
For a lay person, as I am in this regard, reviewing matters is important. Some of the former members of the Defence Forces, some of whom I met with the family, have detailed and expert knowledge as they were serving members in the area. The circumstances of the events involved will never leave them and they have followed all of the investigations in great detail. This is not just about recovering the body of Private Joyce it is also about understanding what happened and what lessons are to be learned. The Minister will appreciate that the family has never had closure. I ask him to consider meeting one or two members who served at the time. It could prove to be a constructive meeting. They might, perhaps, provide the Minister with an agenda outlining some of their specific concerns so as to ensure the meeting would be constructive and that he could prepare in advance for it. I am sure they would work with him in that regard. If the meeting is to be productive and successful, he should allow one or, preferably, two of the Defence Force members who served in the area to meet him, with the family and other relevant members of the Defence Forces.
It is not necessary to give me a summary of the issues involved because I have read in full the concerns raised, the critique and the questions asked about some individuals not being questioned or given the opportunity to discuss matters. However, having read the report on file, I do not see how, so many years further on, a further discussion would add greater enlightenment to these events, nor would it in any way, from what I can see, facilitate identifying who the perpetrators might have been, whether it be the Palestine Liberation Organisation, Amal or some other group. I am not aware of anything raised that would add greater enlightenment in identifying those involved, nor do I see anything that would any more readily facilitate the finding of the remains of Private Joyce. It would be most unfair of me to give rise to a perception that there was something in all of this; that, having read things in great detail and after so many years, there is something that would resolve this mystery of exactly who was engaged in this event and where Private Joyce's remains were located, other than the conclusions reached in the report on file. However, I am happy to meet the family to discuss its concerns. I am also concerned, in circumstances where this terrible tragedy occurred and where there was the loss of two members of the Defence Forces, that false hope is not given that there is some new information that will provide greater enlightenment than what we now have. Even if some of this information is correct, it is not clear that it will lead us to a helpful conclusion in bringing closure for the families.
Defence Forces Operations
Clare Daly
Question:131. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces personnel who were on duty on the runway at Shannon Airport on 22 February and 2 March conducted searches of US military aircraft. [13718/14]
Mick Wallace
Question:138. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence the reason Defence forces personnel were stationed in front of US warplanes at Shannon airport on 22 February 2014 and 2 March 2014; and if any inspections of the aircraft took place. [12966/14]
This question relates to the role of Defence Forces personnel at Shannon Airport, an issue highlighted by the heroic Margaretta D'Arcy. I welcome her release from prison and acknowledge the role she played in defending Ireland's neutrality. While she was in prison, on a number of occasions Defence Forces personnel were present in front of US aircraft at Shannon Airport. I hope the Minister will tell me they were there to conduct searches of the aircraft because it appeared that they were there to protect them.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 138 together.
An Garda Síochána has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is the provision of aid for the civil power, ATCP, which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Síochána when requested to do so. There is ongoing and close liaison between An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces regarding security matters. The Defence Forces have deployed personnel to Shannon Airport in response to requests for support from An Garda Síochána since 5 February 2003.
In respect of the dates of 22 February and 2 March 2014, requests for Defence Forces support were received from An Garda Síochána. With regard to inspections of aircraft, the Defence Forces have no responsibility for searching US military aircraft that land at Shannon Airport.
It is obvious that the most significant threat to security at Shannon is the role of the US military. I do not know if the Minister read the article in The Guardian last week which revealed that the US Government sent 100 Hellfire missiles to Iraq over the past number of weeks. We do not know whether those weapons were transported through Shannon but a number of US Air Force aircraft refuelled at Shannon and were present there over the past period. It is appalling that the Minister has confirmed that none of these aircraft was searched by the Defence Forces or the Garda, yet Irish taxpayers' money was expended on having the Defence Forces there. The Minister might like to comment on the fact that a couple of days before Margaretta D'Arcy went onto the runway at Shannon last year there had been a US military aircraft on the runway which had a 30-mm modified Mk 44 cannon located on the front of the fuselage in front of its wings. These aircraft carry depleted uranium. It is highly probable that the aircraft contained the ammunition to go with that. This is an erosion of our neutrality. Why have no searches been conducted?
The incident to which the Deputy refers was contrary to normal conditions that apply to foreign military aircraft overflying or landing in Ireland. It is down to the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade that this incident was raised at the highest level with the US Embassy by senior officials in his Department. The US Embassy expressed regret over the incident and explained that it had taken place as a result of an administrative error. That is all I can say to the Deputy about the particular incident she raised.
That is not good enough. The Minister is not in a position to say whether it was contrary to normal conditions because the Irish State has refused to carry out any searches of the aircraft. The Minister does not know; he is relying on the word of the US authorities. Anybody with expertise in military matters would confirm that it is highly improbable that the aircraft was carrying the cannon and not the ammunition. Depleted uranium results in enormous devastation. The very fact that it was present is a breach of our neutrality. Would the Minister please reconsider the situation and agree that he does not have the authority to say it was abnormal and that he does not know because he refuses to carry out any searches?
Turn a blind eye.
I have no knowledge - nor has Deputy Daly - of any aircraft landing in Shannon that was carrying the munitions to Iraq that she mentioned. If the Deputy has information that could confirm that she is very welcome to furnish it to me. I do not jump to assumptions regarding these matters. I cannot add to what I have said on this matter. For many years it has been the case that US aircraft land in Shannon. I do not see why that should be a cause of difficulty. It is extremely unwise for individuals to enter parts of Shannon Airport where they could do themselves harm or cause others to be harmed. Shannon is used in an appropriate manner. The Tánaiste has addressed the incident Deputy Daly raised and has received the assurances that he reported to me, as I mentioned, from the American authorities.
It is difficult for us to know if the airport is being used at all times in an appropriate manner when we do not search the aircraft. It defies all rationality that we assume that what the Americans tell us is true. Any keen follower of foreign affairs would know that the same people would say mass. The recent revelations about the National Security Agency, NSA, and what the Americans have got up to, despite repeated contradictions, have even further undermined their credibility. Without a doubt, there are arms and troops going through Shannon that are being used for illegal wars.
Between Afghanistan, Yemen, Ethiopia, Somalia and Iraq, there is much illegal activity that we have facilitated. This breaches our neutrality, although we have not signed the Hague document. We still have obligations as a declared neutral country and must take some responsibility. We are reneging on our responsibilities by refusing to search these aeroplanes.
If, in the context of aeroplanes landing at Shannon Airport during the course of this year, the Deputy can provide additional information which indicates that the arrangements and agreements relating to such landings are being violated or that armaments are being carried when they should not be, I will have the matter examined. I am open to correction, but he seems to be operating on the assumption that the arrangements in place are being violated. I cannot act on that assumption, but the Deputy is welcome to furnish me evidence of the allegations. He has referenced Somalia where there is a UN training mission in which the Defence Forces are participating. It is a difficult conflict zone and I do not know from where the reference to Somalia comes. The Deputy mentioned a number of other troubled regions in the world, but I have no information that indicates bombs or other munitions are being landed at Shannon Airport at all or regularly, as he seemed to suggest. However, he can provide the details.
We know no military aircraft has been checked, despite the fact that the Government jet, when used by the then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, was searched at Dulles Airport in Washington a while back. The Minister has indicated that I should come up with the evidence to prove ammunition is passing through Shannon Airport that should not be. I am not the Minister for Defence. If the Minister wants to find out what is on the aeroplanes, all he has to do is organise a search. It is not an unreasonable request. It is little wonder the likes of Margaretta D'Arcy have to go on the runway to highlight the fact that aeroplanes are not being searched by the Government. The Minister is driving people onto the runway by refusing to organise searches.
I have not driven anybody onto a runway. It would be very unwise to drive people to such a place.
Defence Forces Operations
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:132. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a progress report on the Defence Forces participation in the EU-led training mission in Somalia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13799/14]
Recently a very small but skilled and capable cadre of Defence Forces personnel has been involved in an EU-led training mission in Somalia. In this question I seek to ascertain from the Minister if he has evaluated the contribution of this small group of Irish personnel and the overall success of the mission.
I have an extraordinarily long reply and the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will have to stop me halfway through it. However, I will do my best.
EUTM Somalia which was launched on 7 April 2010 has been deployed to provide military training for members of the Somali national armed forces so as to increase their capability to ensure the sovereignty and security of the Somali state. The mission is part of the European Union’s long-term strategy for the Horn of Africa. EUTM Somalia has contributed to the training of approximately 3,600 Somali soldiers to date. On 22 January 2013 the European Council adopted a decision extending the mandate of EUTM Somalia until March 2015. The new EUTM Somalia mandate involves a significant change of focus of the mission, including moving all elements of the mission from Uganda to Somalia. In December 2013 all training concluded in Uganda. The mission achieved a major milestone on 1 February 2014 when the mission commander, Brigadier General Gerald Aherne, declared full operating capability in Mogadishu. The current mandate will continue until 31 March 2015. Implementation of the mandate in Somalia is facing several challenges, including security in Mogadishu, where the position remains unstable.
Following Government approval, five Defence Forces personnel were deployed in April 2010 to the EU-led training mission, EUTM Somalia, providing a training team and certain staff posts.
Ireland took over operational command of the mission in August 2011, with the appointment of Colonel Michael Beary of the Defence Forces as mission commander, and deployed additional staff to support the role of mission commander. Brigadier General Gerald Aherne succeeded Colonel Beary and took up the appointment of mission commander on 1 February 2013. At the end of last month Brigadier General Gerald Aherne handed over command of the mission to his successor, Brigadier General Massimo Mingiardi of Italy, who attended the recent meeting of EU defence Ministers to brief us on the mission.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Brigadier General Beary and Brigadier General Aherne for their outstanding contribution to the success of the mission and to wish the new force commander well. Ireland currently has six personnel serving with the mission, which reduces from 11 the numbers we have there, because the remaining personnel would have supported the mission commander when our Defence Forces had command of the mission.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
The recent reduction in the number of Defence Forces personnel deployed to EUTM Somalia from 11 to six was as a result of the drawdown of Defence Forces personnel associated with Ireland's having held the post of Mission Commander and also completion of the training phase of the mission, to which Ireland contributed three personnel. Given Ireland’s commitment to this mission to date, and in order to support a smooth transition between mission commanders, Government approval has been granted to retain the Defence Forces personnel in their current appointments until the end of their respective individual six-month tours of duty.
I join the Minister in paying tribute to Brigadiers Aherne and Beary for their work on this important mission. Am I right in saying the Minister has decided our forces will withdraw from this mission soon? I was surprised to hear that, given the value of the work and that there is still a desperate need in Somalia for the stabilisation work and training of the armed forces in which our forces have been involved. Why did the Minister decide to disengage from the initiative? I know there were some safety concerns, but I am conscious that we are still present in Afghanistan, where there are many challenges. The Minister has a personal interest in Mali, and many others in the House are interested in it, where the situation is also quite challenging. Why disengage from Somalia?
The mission has changed significantly since locating in Mogadishu, having initially been in Uganda. We are engaged in 14 overseas missions, including EUTM Somalia, and given Ireland's commitment to this mission to date in order to support the smooth handover between mission commanders, we granted approval to retain the Defence Forces personnel in their current appointments until the end of their tour of duty on 13 April 2014. The decision was made to end our engagement in the mission. Very few members of our Defence Forces participate it. As the term of our engagement in missions draws to a close, a review is always conducted to ascertain whether we should deploy some additional personnel or give consideration to other missions. The decision was made that it was appropriate to withdraw the small number of personnel in this location, having made a substantial contribution to it with two outstanding members of our Defence Forces as force commanders. The Deputy can assume we continue to focus on the varied missions we are engaged in and there is no question of our disengaging in any dramatic way from our overall UN commitments.
I agree with the Minister that our commitment to the UN missions is of major importance and I appreciate our ongoing commitment. None the less, the situation in Somalia continues to be very serious. The small group of personnel made a valuable contribution and there is a continuing need to be engaged there. When considering this question I was conscious of the Government's Africa strategy and the Tánaiste's commitment to it and to peace, security, disarmament and respect for human rights, which our people in Somalia were working on.
That work is not yet complete. Why cease our involvement while the work remains to be completed? I ask the Minister to indicate whether he has engaged with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on this matter, given that the Tánaiste has been a champion of the African strategy. Indeed, that strategy is worthy of support.
I understand we have more missions currently serving overseas than at any time previously in the history of the State. We are engaged concurrently in 14 different missions. On 22 January 2013, the Council of the European Union extended the mandate of EUTM Somalia to March 2015. This third mandate implied a significant change of focus for the mission, with the inclusion of strategic, advisory and mentoring activities in addition to training. The specific training offered by Irish Defence Forces personnel is no longer required under the new mission mandate. We maintained our numbers for as long as Brigadier General Aherne was in command of the mission, but the specific training activities in which we were engaged were no longer required and, in those circumstances, it made no sense to maintain our engagement beyond the completion of the current deployment. It is no more complex than that. Should it arise at some point in the future that we can contribute to the mission in a constructive way based on our niche skills and training capacities, that will be open for consideration.
Defence Forces Records
Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Question:133. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence his plans to increase the numbers serving in the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13796/14]
I am trying to ascertain the Minister's commitment to developing the numbers serving in the Air Corps. I welcome his recent announcement on recruitment to the Defence Forces and wonder how the Air Corps will benefit from the initiative.
I announced the launch of a new recruitment campaign for enlisted personnel in both the Permanent and the Reserve Defence Forces on Friday, 7 March 2014. The Government is committed to maintaining the stabilised strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 personnel and the current campaign will enable this to be achieved. Recruitment of personnel to the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps is determined in line with the operational requirements of each of the three services. As such, the Defence Forces plan to induct up to 400 enlisted personnel to the Permanent Defence Force in 2014.
In regard to specific Air Corps appointments, there are currently 17 pilots in training and it is planned to recruit a further nine Air Corps cadets this year, who will serve as pilots on commissioning. In addition to the 27 aircraft mechanic apprentices currently in training, it is planned to recruit a further 20 apprentices this year. Details of these competitions will be available on the Defence Forces website, www.military.ie, when the competitions commence. Requirements for additional recruits in the Air Corps will be addressed from the general service recruitment competition which is currently ongoing and from among line officers serving or due to be commissioned in the Permanent Defence Force.
In regard to technical and line NCO promotions and appointments in the Air Corps, a new promotion scheme for NCOs was piloted approximately two years ago and a large number of promotions were made from this competition. My Department is currently in the process of reviewing the pilot and is considering some changes to streamline the competitive process. These will then be discussed with the representative association, PDFORRA. I expect the new promotion competition to fill line and technical NCO vacancies across the Defence Forces to commence in the next few months.
I am advised by the Chief of Staff that the required operational strength of the Air Corps remains adequate and that the Air Corps is sufficiently resourced to continue to operate effectively across all roles and to undertake the tasks laid down by Government.
I thank the Minister for his reply, much of which is positive. However, would he accept that the Air Corps is relatively small when compared internationally? If we compare Ireland with, for example, New Zealand, we find that one in four of the personnel in that country's defence force is a member of the air force, compared to one in 12 in Ireland. Do we need to develop the Air Corps to a greater extent by providing it with additional personnel to allow it to fulfil its remit?
Of course, that is one of the varied and numerous issues to be considered in the context of the Defence Force White Paper which will look to the future, to the State's needs and to the capabilities of the Defence Forces. It will look to the operational requirements, both in the context of serving abroad and at home and in providing an assistance to the civil power.
A key issue is resources. In the context of the Air Corps, there is the issue of the extent and nature of the missions that it is required to undertake and the capacity of the State, within limited financial resources, to purchase additional aircraft, and the need in that context.
As Deputy Ó Fearghaíl will be aware, substantial investment has been made in the Naval Service. We will see in the not too distant future the commissioning of a new naval vessel, which has cost in the region of €53 million. There is a further naval vessel under construction, which should be commissioned during the first half of next year, which has cost a similar sum of money. In the context of the Deputy's specific question, the future role of the Air Corps, the numbers within it, its capabilities and its operational needs all are issues to be considered in the context of the White Paper.
In conclusion, I ask the Minister whether he himself is committed to improving the rotary-wing fleet so that it could be expanded to include additional helicopters, especially those with over-ocean capacity. Experiences in such missions as the EUFOR mission to Chad in central Africa have demonstrated the requirement to have accessible and appropriate rotary-wing capacity in difficult situations and over difficult terrains. Obviously, one understands the financial pressure that the Minister is under, but does he have a plan to improve the level of equipment that would be made available to the Air Corps in the period ahead?
We have been able to maintain the resources and equipment of the Defence Forces at a very high level to meet the operation requirements of the Defences Forces, both in the context of the Army, navy and Air Corps.
In the context of the consideration of the purchase of any further assets for the Air Corps, that is a matter based on looking at what is contained ultimately in the White Paper on the needs and requirements, what is affordable to the State and the nature of the engagement of the Air Corps, which is important to the State but which, of course, is also limited.
European Defence Capabilities
Bernard Durkan
Question:134. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces is in liaison with other defence forces throughout the European Union with a view to ensuring compatibility in respect of procedures, operational equipment, command structures, communication and language; if he is satisfied that adequate co-ordination exists to ensure that no country throughout the European Union might be vulnerable in the event of an attack; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12935/14]
This question relates to the necessity for compatibility between the Defence Forces and other defence forces throughout Europe and those on UN deployments with a view to ensuring that each understands the other sufficiently adequately to be able to cope with emergency situations.
The Defence Forces liaise with other armed forces personnel throughout the European Union through a range of fora. These include: NATO Partnership for Peace, EU military staff, EU military committee in Brussels and European Defence Agency.
Ireland joined Partnership for Peace, PfP, on 1 December 1999. The primary aim of our PfP participation is to enhance the Defence Forces' interoperability with other professional military forces for the purpose of engaging in UN authorised peacekeeping and peace support operations led by the UN, EU or NATO. Membership of the PfP continues to allow the Defence Forces access to NATO standards, which are internationally-recognised as representing best practice in military and related matters such as operations, procurement, training, civilian co-operation, etc.
Participation in PfP's planning and review process is considered an essential requirement for preparing for UN mandated peacekeeping operations. As part of this process, Ireland has adopted a range of partnership goals - NATO standard military capabilities - which assist Ireland to be compatible with other member states' armed forces in respect of procedures, operational equipment, command structures and communications.
Through Ireland's involvement with the European Defence Agency, we are actively engaged in projects and project teams, along with other EU member states, which are addressing capability shortfalls in a number of areas, such as counter improvised explosives devices, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protection and cyber security.
The establishment of a political and security committee defence delegation, comprising civil and military elements, in Ireland's Permanent Representation to the EU and the detachment of Defence Force personnel to the EU military staff, coupled with our participation in EU-led civilian missions and military operations, reflect the expanding role of the defence organisation in the area of Common Security and Defence Policy.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
In relation to the vulnerability of any member state to attack, as the Deputy will be aware the EU is not a defence alliance, and no decision has been made in relation to initiating a common defence. Common Security and Defence Policy is external to the Union. For most member states, mutual defence is achieved through membership of NATO.
Ireland also maintains bilateral relationships with other countries at both policy and operational levels, and the Defence Forces have regular staff-to-staff meeting with other militaries to exchange information and experiences.
The ongoing engagement of the Defence Forces and other EU armed forces in the fora referenced above ensures that all concerned are actively engaged in the development of concepts, procedures and capability enhancement. While adhering to international best practice in these areas, the Defence Forces and other EU armed forces are best prepared to meet their assigned roles.
I thank the Minister for the comprehensive reply. Is he satisfied regarding the familiarity of the Defence Forces with the standards, equipment and training applicable in other jurisdictions throughout the European Union and by forces in deployment from the UN and to what extent is he satisfied that in emergency situations it is possible to dovetail the knowledge, activity and operational skills of all such personnel operating as a unit?
I am satisfied that the substantial engagement by the Defence Forces, both at UN level in co-operation with European Union colleagues in UN-sanctioned missions and engaging in the EU battlegroups, has ensured that in the context of its niche skill areas it has equipment of the highest standard. In the context of the EU, there is substantial movement to ensure equipment and communication compatibility. This is part of an ongoing process to ensure that Defence Forces personnel, when engaged in UN peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, have the best possible equipment available to them.
The nature of the equipment being used by the Defence Forces in the difficult UN mission at present on the Golan Heights in the context of difficulties that have arisen has proved that the resources provided to them have played an important role in facilitating their undertaking their mission and in ensuring that the Defence Force personnel's safety is maintained as best as can ever be the case when engaged in a conflict area.