Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 December 2015
489. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has consulted with the Department of Defence regarding the implications of the deployment of Irish troops to Mali, given the potential impact of such a deployment at this time on the perception of Ireland's neutrality abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45531/15]
View answerOn 16 November, in the wake of the horrific attacks in Paris, President Hollande stated that France was invoking Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union. The article states that “If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other Member States shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. This shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States.”
The French Ambassador to Ireland subsequently met with senior officials from my Department and senior officials from a number of other Departments, including the Department of Defence, for initial discussions as to how Ireland might provide practical assistance to France. These Departments are considering how best Ireland can respond, taking account of France’s needs, and our resources and expertise. No decision has been taken regarding the nature of our assistance and I do not wish to pre-judge the outcome of ongoing discussions.
The possibility of taking on UN-authorised peacekeeping duties to which France is currently committed, including in Mali, has been mentioned as one possible option. The purpose of any such deployment would be to ensuring the continued effectiveness of UN-authorised peacekeeping missions in the event of a French withdrawal.
Assistance which we provide will be consistent with Irish law and with our longstanding policy of military neutrality.
