Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2005
105 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Defence the way in which the €1.2 million allocated in the Estimates for his Department towards the cost of participating in EU security and defence initiatives will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1498/05]
View answer130 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Defence his views on an item in the Defence Estimates for 2005, that is, costs arising directly from Ireland’s participation in the EU’s European Security and Defence Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1528/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 130 together.
National sovereignty and voluntarism are the fundamental underlying principles of participation in the European Security and Defence Policy, ESDP. For example, participation in any specific EU operation by member states is decided on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with respective national decision making procedures.
Defence spending in EU member states remains a sovereign issue for each member state and is usually undertaken in the context of ever increasing and competing demands for invariably limited national resources.
A new subhead V has been created within the Vote for Defence for 2005 relating to costs associated with Ireland's participation in the EU's European Security and Defence Policy, ESDP, and a sum of €1.2 million has been allocated within the Estimates. The costs involved are broken down into three separate categories. First, there are common costs relating to EU missions. A figure of some €805,000 consisting mainly of costs associated with the EU follow on operation EUFOR — Althea, in Bosnia Herzegovina, which replaced the NATO-led Stabilisation Force, SFOR, in December 2004 — is being provided in respect of common costs for 2005. Second, there are costs associated with participation in the European Defence Agency. Ireland has paid a contribution of €21,733.07 towards the agency's initial general budget for 2004. A provision of some €315,000 has been sought in respect of the agency for 2005, which includes a contribution to "once off" capital costs in respect of accommodation and facilities. Third, there are costs associated with the running of the EU Satellite Centre. The provision of €80,000 represents 50% of Ireland's contribution to the running costs of the EUSC. The balance of Ireland's contribution is funded from the Vote for Foreign Affairs.
