Bernard J. Durkan
Question:136 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland’s position in relation to participation in EU defence and security operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10289/04]
View answerWednesday, 31 March 2004
Questions (139)
Written answers
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Priority Question No. 1 of 29 May 2003.
Since its inception, Ireland has sought to play a positive and constructive role in the evolution of European Security and Defence Policy, ESDP. It is an inclusive project and it has been conceived and elaborated with the engagement of all member states. We will continue to participate actively in its ongoing development.
Ireland, in association with other EU member states, especially the other neutral and non-aligned countries, has helped to influence the overall parameters within which ESDP operates by placing particular emphasis on the primary role of the United Nations Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security. Conflict prevention has also been at the core of the Union's approach and Ireland has worked to ensure that this centrally important dimension to ESDP is given prominence. In terms of ESDP operations, military and civilian personnel can only be deployed under EU auspices to undertake humanitarian, peacekeeping and crisis management tasks, known as Petersberg Tasks. Participation by Ireland in EU military crisis management operations requires a Government decision and UN authorisation for the mission in question. A resolution by Dáil Éireann is also required where the proposed number for deployment of Irish personnel exceeds twelve. These conditions are set out in the Defence Acts and were reflected in the national declaration made by Ireland at the Seville European Council in June 2002, in advance of the referendum on the Nice treaty held in October of that year.
To date, Ireland has participated in one EU military crisis management operation. Five members of the Defence Forces took part last summer in Operation Artemis, a temporary stabilisation force in the north-eastern province of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This mission was undertaken by the EU in response to a request by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and in light of UN Security Council Resolution 1484 of 30 May 2003.
In the civilian crisis management area, members of the Garda Síochána have participated in UN missions as well as missions organised by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE and by the EU. Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty of the Garda Síochána is currently serving as head of mission of the EU's police mission, EUPM, in Bosnia-Herzegovina. A further three gardaí also participate in this mission. Any future deployment of Irish military or civilian personnel on EU crisis management operations will continue to be in accordance with relevant legislative and constitutional requirements.