Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 September 2016
467. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he supports the statement by the European Commission President, Mr. Jean Claude Juncker, in his recent state of the union speech that Europe can no longer afford to rely on the military might of others or let France alone defend its honour in Mali; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26585/16]
View answerThe European Global Strategy which was presented by HRVP Mogherini to Heads of State and Government at the European Council in June recognises that instability in European neighbourhoods is a source of threats to the safety of our citizens. Ireland recognises the need to invest more in conflict resolution using all the instruments available to the EU in an integrated way. This includes strengthening the Union’s ability to engage in peacekeeping and crisis management operations as well as building state and societal capacity on governance, rule of law and human rights.
The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) of the European Union, of which Ireland is a committed supporter, can play a positive role in contributing to international peace and security in European neighbourhoods. In that context the EU has been engaged in training and support to the security forces in Mali since early 2013 when the European Training Mission in Mali - EUTM Mali – was established at the request of the Malian Government and in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2085 (2012). The Mission’s mandate includes provision of training and advice on International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights and protection of civilians. EUTM Mali complements French efforts initially through Operation Serval and subsequently through Operation Barkhane to counter Islamist fighters in Mali and the wider Sahel region. These efforts are further bolstered by UN stabilisation force, MINUSMA, which has also been deployed in Mali since 2013 with an authorised troop ceiling of more than 11,000 military personnel.
Ireland has deployed members of the Permanent Defence Forces to EUTM Mali since the Mission was established. Among EU Members States, the largest current contributors are Belgium with 186 troops and Spain with 116. France contributes 11 Members of its Defence Forces to the Mission. Ireland’s initial contribution to EUTM Mali was 10 members of the Defence Forces. We agreed to increase the number of members of the Permanent Defence Forces deployed to EUTM Mali as a result of the invocation by France of article 42.7 of the Treaty of the European Union following the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015. From November 2016 when the Mission reaches full operational capability in terms of its latest mandate Ireland will have 18 personnel in EUTM Mali. The purpose of deploying the additional Defence Forces personnel is to ensure the continued effectiveness of UN mandated missions.
