Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 February 2021
89. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland has seconded persons from the private sector to civilian CSDP missions; if so, if the cost of this secondment is covered by the State or by the seconded expert's employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6046/21]
View answerThe EU's civilian CSDP missions are staffed by a combination of staff employed and paid by the European External Action Service and specialist staff funded directly by Member States. The latter are also appointed by the EEAS, on the basis of competitive interview of candidates put forward by Member States. If their candidate is successful, the Member State is responsible for the remuneration of that person.
These specialists are commonly referred to as secondees, although not all are serving public servants. In Ireland's case, secondees from the public service have, to date, been members of An Garda Síochána who have served with the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo. They remain employed and paid by An Garda Síochána, as they would if they were on UN service.
All other Irish applicants selected by the EEAS for deployment in a Civilian CSDP Mission are provided with an agreement for services from the Department of Foreign Affairs to carry out their work as a seconded independent contractor. Current Irish secondees in Civilian CSDP Missions come from a range of employment backgrounds. A number are retired members of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, others have experience with NGOs, or with international organisations such as the UN and OSCE, while others have recent private sector experience.
My Department identifies suitable vacancies in civilian CSDP Missions and opens them for application through the EEAS Goalkeeper platform. Applications for positions are open to all individuals registered with my Department through the Goalkeeper platform. Details on Goalkeeper registration can be accessed through the Public Appointments Service website.
