Written Answers Nos. 1 - 20
10. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the measures that will be undertaken to provide a more representative gender balance in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20042/14]
View answerThe Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women throughout the Defence Forces and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Significant progress has been made by the Military Authorities in addressing gaps between male and female participation in the Defence Forces, with an increase of 23% of female participation in the PDF since 2002. However, it is recognised that more work needs to be done to meet the gender target for recruitment of females of 20% which was set by the Military Authorities in 2007. As at 31 March 2014, the latest date for which figures are available there were 555 women out of a total strength of 9,133 serving in the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). This represents 6% of the overall strength of the Defence Forces.
A number of specific initiatives have been implemented to increase female participation in the Defence Forces including:
- the introduction of best practices in recruitment, such as the adjustment of physical standards for female applicants,
- special consideration is paid to women as a target group for recruitment,
- there is balanced composition between men and women on recruitment and selection boards,
- all promotions and career courses are open to both genders on merit,
- a Gender Advisor has been appointed to promote gender equality policies and training within the Defence Forces.
Unlike many other national armed forces, the Defence Forces have no restrictions as regards the assignment of men or women to the full range of operational and administrative duties. Women, therefore, play a full and meaningful role in all aspects of Defence Forces operations at home and overseas.
I believe that there is a need to continue to develop and promote strategies that not alone support increased female participation in the Defence Forces but also support increased diversity. The personnel profile of the Defence Forces should reflect the changing demographic and multicultural nature of Irish Society. To this end, as part of the recent recruitment campaign for enlisted personnel and the Reserve, specific efforts were made to increase the number of female applicants. This was part of a wider campaign aimed at improving gender and ethnic representation and diversity in the Defence Forces. In the case of female participation, these efforts included school visits, media engagement including national and local radio, targeting sports clubs and use of social media. At the closing date for this recruitment campaign on 9 April 2014 there were 755 Female applicants or 10.3% out of a total of 7,295 applicants for the Permanent Defence Force and 320 female applicants or 14.9% out of a total of 2,146 applicants for the Reserve Defence Force.
11. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if he will expand on media reports in County Kildare that plans are at an advanced stage to develop voluntary housing for ex-servicemen and their families who are currently classified as over-holders by his Department. [20059/14]
View answerI am not aware of the media Reports to which the Deputy refers. However, I can state that there are no plans to develop voluntary housing schemes for overholders in the Curragh. The position regarding overholders has been outlined on numerous occasions. The Department of Defence does not have a role in the provision of housing accommodation for those who are not members of the Defence Forces. As I have said previously, I cannot support the illegal occupation of military property by those who have no entitlement in this regard and who may well have the means to acquire housing for themselves. In accordance with normal procedures my Department will continue to seek vacant possession of married quarters which are being overheld until the overholding issue is resolved.
I recognise that there are a very small number of people currently in possession of houses in the Camp who, due to exceptional circumstances, deserve particular consideration when their cases are being processed. Accordingly I have asked that the remaining overholding cases at the Camp be examined with a view to identifying the small sub-set of cases which may be vulnerable from an accommodations perspective. This case review is progressing and officials in my Department will engage with this small number of individuals in the coming weeks. In light of and subject to their particular circumstances, my Department would be prepared to provide whatever assistance and support it can to the individuals concerned. This engagement will, I hope, give us more of an insight into their particular needs and thereby help us progress to a solution. Proceedings seeking vacant possession of all other properties being overheld will proceed as announced.
In advance of the above, my Department has recently undertaken a review of vacant former married quarter properties within the Curragh Camp with a view to their potential for future use by the military. While this review is not fully concluded, the indications are that it would not offer potential for suitable alternative accommodation for the small number of particularly vulnerable overholders.
12. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the numbers of Defence Forces personnel currently serving overseas; and the number and details of the missions involved. [20062/14]
View answer24. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces will undertake any new overseas missions during the remainder of 2014; the number of missions that have concluded thus far in 2014; the details of same; the number that will conclude during the remainder of 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20046/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 12 and 24 together.
As of 04 May 2014, Ireland is contributing approximately 410 Defence Forces personnel to 13 different missions throughout the world. Full details of all personnel currently serving overseas are listed in the tabular statement. The main overseas missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 192 personnel, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 135 Defence Forces personnel.
Other missions in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed are the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali) with eight (8) personnel; the EUFOR mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina with seven (7) personnel; the NATO-led international security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with twelve (12) personnel; and the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan with seven (7) personnel. Five (5) personnel were deployed in August 2013 for service with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in South Sudan. Ireland also contributes 26 observers and staff to various United Nations and OSCE missions, 3 personnel to the Nordic Battle group headquarters in Sweden and 15 other personnel to staff appointments at UN, EU and OSCE headquarters.
The Defence Forces completed their withdrawal from the EU Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) on 14 April 2014. The Defence Forces had been serving with that mission since April 2010. Ireland also provided the Mission Commander during the period August 2011 to February 2014.
Ireland has participated in ISAF in Afghanistan since 5 July 2002. In March 2011, the transition process whereby the Afghan security forces would gradually take on more security responsibility from ISAF was launched. This process is due to be completed at the end of this year, when ISAF’s mission will end. The overall drawdown of ISAF personnel is currently underway and the withdrawal of the Defence Forces personnel will be coordinated in this context. While it is anticipated that Irish personnel will complete their service with the mission in September 2014, this will be kept under review in the context of the current proposed follow on training mission.
With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, no further requests for such deployments are currently pending in my Department. Due to Ireland’s own current level of commitment in overseas peacekeeping operations, notably to the United Nations Disengagement Force in Syria and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, we are not in a position to make any significant commitment to other missions at this time. The current contribution of some 410 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.
AS OF 04 MAY 2014
|
1. |
UN MISSIONS |
|
|
UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) HQ |
12 |
|
|
UNIFIL 42nd Infantry Group |
176 |
|
|
UNIFIL Sector West HQ |
4 |
|
|
UNTSO (United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation ) Israel & Syria |
13 |
|
|
MINURSO (United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) |
3 |
|
|
MONUSCO (United Nations Stabilisation Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo) |
4 |
|
|
UNOCI (United Nations Mission in Ivory Coast) |
2 |
|
|
UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force) Golan Heights Syria |
135 |
|
|
UNMAS (United Nations Mine Action Service ) South Sudan |
5 |
|
|
TOTAL |
354 |
|
|
UN MANDATED MISSIONS |
||
|
EUFOR (EU led Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
7 |
|
|
EUTM Mali (EU led Training Mission) |
8 |
|
|
KFOR (International Security Presence in Kosovo) HQ |
12 |
|
|
ISAF (International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan) |
7 |
|
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING WITH UN MISSIONS |
388 |
|
|
2. |
ORGANISATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE (OSCE) |
|
|
OSCE Mission to Bosnia & Herzegovina |
2 |
|
|
OSCE Mission in Belgrade – Serbia |
1 |
|
|
Staff Officer, High Level Planning Group Vienna |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL SERVING OSCE |
4 |
|
|
3. |
EU MILITARY STAFF |
|
|
Brussels |
5 |
|
|
4. |
NORDIC BATTLE GROUP 2015 |
|
|
FHQ Sweden |
3 |
|
|
5. |
MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES/ADVISERS/STAFF |
|
|
Military Adviser, Permanent Mission to UN, New York |
1 |
|
|
Military Adviser Irish delegation to OSCE, Vienna |
1 |
|
|
Military Representative to EU (Brussels) |
4 |
|
|
Liaison Office of Ireland, NATO/PfP (Brussels) |
2 |
|
|
EU OHQ Operation Althea, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
|
Irish Liaison Officer to SHAPE & Military Co-Op Division, Mons, Belgium |
1 |
|
|
TOTAL NUMBER OF DEFENCE FORCES PERSONNEL SERVING OVERSEAS |
410 |
13. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a breakdown of the security and other costs of the Army barracks which were closed during the term of this Government; and the plans for their future use. [20060/14]
View answerDuring the term of this Government four barracks have been closed – Kickham Barracks Clonmel, O’ Neill Barracks Cavan, Columb Barracks Mullingar and Mitchell Barracks Castlebar. The closures were effective from March 2012. Agreement in principle has been reached for the sale of Kickham Barracks to South Tipperary County Council. To date a total of €101,703.60 has been spent on security/management fees and €112,223.31 on utilities and other minor maintenance works. O’Neill Barracks Cavan was sold to the then Co Cavan VEC. From its closure in March 2012 to its sale in early 2013, €62,453.25 was spent on security, €27,884.40 on utilities and €39,757.98 on maintenance works.
Columb Barracks Mullingar remains in ownership of my Department. It is currently under lease to Westmeath GAA Board. To date €183,513.79 has been spent on security costs, €71,973.27 on utilities and approximately €15,000 on maintenance works.
Mitchell Barracks Castlebar has been sold to Mayo County Council and the sale is expected to close in the coming months. To date €9,224.77 has been spent on security, €4,334.91 on utilities and €2,783.01 on maintenance works.
I am pleased to see that many of the former Barracks will be used for community, educational and sporting purposes in the future.
14. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the value of weaponry and equipment for military purpose purchased from Israel or Israeli companies or planned to be purchased from Israel or Israeli companies since March 2011. [20052/14]
View answerA number of Israeli companies have successfully tendered for and have been awarded contracts by the Department of Defence for the provision of defensive equipment to the Defence Forces as a result of competitive tender competitions. This is not a new development and has been the situation for many years.
The principle of competitive tendering for Government contracts is used by the Department of Defence for the acquisition of defensive equipment, including weaponry, for the Defence Forces. Central to those procedures is the requirement to allow fair competition between suppliers through the submission of tenders following advertising of the tender competition on the e-tenders site. Such tender competitions are open to any individual company or country in accordance with the terms of all UN, OSCE and EU arms embargos or restrictions. There are no such restrictions or embargos in place on Israel or Israeli companies. Tender competitions are held in accordance with the EU Code of Conduct on Export Controls.
The primary purpose for the procurement of weaponry and defensive equipment by the Department of Defence is to enhance the capability of the Irish Defence Forces on overseas Peace Support Operations and to afford the greatest possible force protection to Irish troops whilst on such missions. I understand that the value of defensive equipment acquired or being acquired from Israeli companies since March 2011 is in the region of €2.9m, exclusive of VAT. The main expenditure relates to a contract awarded to Elbit Systems for the supply of ten Ground Surveillance Radars to the Defence Forces following on from a detailed tender process carried out over the last twelve months. The main purpose for the acquisition of the Ground Surveillance Radars is again for force protection on overseas missions.
16. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence if the White Paper on Defence will commit to the restoration of a three brigade structure in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20048/14]
View answerArising from the comprehensive review of expenditure in 2011, the Government decided to stabilise the strength ceiling of the Permanent Defence Force at 9,500 Permanent Defence Force personnel. The three Brigade structure then in place had originally been designed in the 1990s, when the strength ceiling of the PDF was 11,500 personnel. Clearly, at a strength ceiling of 9,500 personnel, this structure was no longer viable. In this context, I initiated a major re-organisation of the Defence Forces encompassing the consolidation of three under-strength Army Brigades into two full strength Brigades. This was to ensure that within the revised strength ceiling, the operational effectiveness of the Permanent Defence Force was optimised in order to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.
Key aspects of the reorganisation included the consolidation of under-strength units into a smaller number of full strength Units, a reduction in the number of headquarters and the associated re-deployment of personnel from administrative and support functions to operational Units.
A new White Paper on Defence is due to be completed and submitted to Government for approval later this year. Work on the new White Paper on Defence is progressing well. Having regard to the inputs received from a wide variety of stakeholders, Working Groups comprising of civil and military representatives are considering future operational demands and the defence capabilities required to meet projected future operational requirements. This work will underpin recommendations regarding defence provision for the next decade.
Capability decisions contained in the White Paper must be based on a careful assessment of the Defence and Security environment, have regard to future operational requirements and the roles that the Defence Forces will be required to undertake, and have regard also to the resource envelope. While I do not intend to pre-empt or second guess the outcome of the White Paper, there will undoubtedly be challenges with regard to future demands and available resources. In this context, it is essential that any recommendations are linked to explicit future capability requirements. The current organisational structures have allowed the Defence Forces to fulfil all operational requirements within the available resource envelope. This will remain a key focus for the White Paper.
18. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the last meeting of the EU Foreign and Defence Ministers which took place in Luxembourg on 15 April 2014. [20049/14]
View answerI attended the Foreign Affairs Council in Defence Ministers format on 15 April in Luxembourg. The meeting was chaired by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Baroness Catherine Ashton. NATO Secretary General Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen was present for part of the meeting. The meeting commenced when the European Defence Agency (EDA) Steering Board met to discuss the follow-up to the December European Council tasking on military capabilities and defence industry. The EDA Chief Executive briefed on the document they are preparing to support coordinated defence planning across the Union in respect of the collaborative delivery of defence capabilities.
The meeting of Defence Ministers then commenced with discussions on the EU Maritime Security Strategy. This included a brief presentation on the Joint Communication by the High Representative and the Commission “For an open and secure global maritime domain: elements for a European Union maritime security strategy”. This item was a priority for Ireland during our Presidency of the EU Council and still remains a priority. The High Representative highlighted the cross sectoral and cross border nature of the maritime domain, the contribution the Maritime environment to socio-economic development and trade and the need for maritime security to that end.
In the next working session, the High Representative drew attention to the deteriorating security situation in the Central African Republic. Ministers were briefed by the EUFOR RCA Mission Commander, Major General Philippe Pontiès, on the current status of the Operation. Other issues that were discussed were the issues surrounding the difficulties in force generation for this mission, planning issues and the use of Battlegroups.
Discussion on Ukraine and Eastern Partnerships took place over lunch in the presence of the NATO Secretary General. Ministers discussed the crisis in Ukraine and its consequences to Common Security and Defence Policy and the wider security perspectives of Europe. There was collective concern on the need to significantly reassess our security and defence assumptions, improve capabilities and improve efficiency by allocating more resources to defence and security.
19. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence his plans to expand the role of the Air Corps in providing air ambulance services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20056/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Air Corps currently plays a significant role in support of the HSE through the provision of an emergency inter-hospital transfer service throughout the country and to the United Kingdom. It also supports the HSE’s pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service which operates out of Custume Barracks, Athlone.
In 2005, the Department of Defence and the Department of Health completed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) which formalised arrangements for the provision of the inter-hospital air ambulance service by the Air Corps. This SLA was renewed in October, 2011 and provides for inter-hospital transfer by air for patients with medical conditions that require urgent treatment at a hospital within Ireland or in the UK. There has been a substantial increase in the use of this service with 102 inter-hospital missions being completed in 2013 and 108 in 2012.
In addition, a twelve-month pilot Emergency Aeromedical Support (EAS) service, supported by the Air Corps, commenced operating out of Custume Barracks, Athlone on 4 June 2012. This pilot service was established by agreement between my Department and the Department of Health in order to assess the level and type, if any, of dedicated emergency aeromedical support needed to assist the National Ambulance Service, primarily in the west of Ireland. The assessment focused on certain types of patient, particularly on the requirements of the HSE Clinical Care Programmes such as Acute Coronary Syndrome and Stroke.
A full evaluation of the service was undertaken by an inter-agency Audit and Evaluation Group, and in June 2013, a Report was submitted to the Minister for Health for his consideration. The Minister for Health has accepted the Report’s recommendations and a Working Group, chaired by the Department of Health, has been established to examine options for the provision of an EAS service into the future. The Group has met on four occasions and I understand that a further meeting is to be held later this month. Whilst the initial 12 month pilot period has expired, I have agreed to extend the Air Corps’ participation in order for the Working Group to complete its work.
20. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the basis upon which the USS Letye Gulf, a guided missile cruiser was docked in Cobh Harbour on 14 April; the dealings it had with the Irish Navy; and his views on whether this is a breach of our neutrality. [20058/14]
View answerAs indicated by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in his reply to your parliamentary question on 30 April, visits from foreign naval vessels are a long-standing and common practice in Ireland and worldwide. Foreign naval vessels are granted permission to visit Irish ports on condition that they meet the necessary policy stipulations, which require that the vessels are not carrying nuclear weapons and are not engaged in a naval exercise. The vessel in question was in Ireland as part of a routine visit and was granted permission to dock on the basis that it met these criteria.
Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence (2000) is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power which in practice means to assist, on request, An Garda Síochána who have primary responsibility for security matters. In this regard, the Naval Service was requested by An Garda Síochána to provide support with security arrangements for the visit. Accordingly, a Naval Service rib and a number of personnel were deployed to provide on-water security support. The Naval Service also provided a liaison officer facility for the USS Leyte Gulf, which is a standard courtesy afforded to all visiting naval vessels. In addition, the Naval Service hosted representatives of the crew of the vessel for a short courtesy visit to the Naval Base, again in accordance with standard protocols.
