Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 May 2021
279. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence his views regarding the position which will be adopted by Ireland at a European Council Defence Ministers meeting on 13 May 2021 regarding the US, Canada and Norway joining a EU Military Mobility Project; if Ireland plans to participate in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25395/21]
View answerIreland's participation in PESCO was agreed by Government and approved by Dáil Éireann prior to the Council Decision establishing PESCO on 11 December 2017. Of the 47 projects that have since launched, Ireland is a Participant in one PESCO project (Greek-led Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance) and also has Observer status on a further nine PESCO projects including the Military Mobility Project which is led by the Netherlands.
Ireland supported the exceptional participation of Third States in PESCO projects during discussions on the topic which were finalised with agreement reached during the German Presidency of the EU. On 5 November 2020, the Council adopted decision (CFSP) 2020/1639 establishing the general conditions under which third states could exceptionally be invited to participate in individual PESCO projects.
Earlier this year, the United States, Canada and Norway became the first Third States to seek participation in a PESCO project, when they submitted their requests for participation in the PESCO Military Mobility project. The Council and High Representative were subsequently notified by the project coordinator of the unanimous agreement of project members to invite the three countries to participate in the Military Mobility project.
On 6 May 2021, I attended the EU Foreign Affairs Council which met in Defence Ministers’ configuration in Brussels and the Council approved the participation of the United States, Canada and Norway in the Military Mobility PESCO project. It is expected that their expertise will contribute to the project and, with it, improve military mobility within and beyond the EU.
There is no plan to seek approval to a become a participant on the Military Mobility Project.
