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Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 June 2021

Tuesday, 1 June 2021

Questions (368, 369)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

368. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence if his Department or the Defence Forces are preparing a national strategy for military mobility; if so, if such a strategy will be presented to the PESCO Military Mobility Project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29340/21]

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Thomas Pringle

Question:

369. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether it is appropriate for Ireland to be involved in an observer capacity in view of the public statements by the Dutch head of the PESCO Military Mobility Project, that this is an important boost for EU NATO co-operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29341/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.

There is currently a PESCO Military Mobility project on military mobility across the EU and Ireland has observer status on this project.  The purpose of this observer status is simply to idenitify and review any implicsations which may potentially arise for Ireland from this project. 

The Military Mobility project is seen as a key priority for the EU and its member states and is part of a broader set of initiatives to improve military mobility, not just at national levels, but also within EU and NATO. for both exercises and operational reasons  The project is led by Netherlands.

There are no plans currently by Ireland to seek approval to change Ireland's observer status,  which allows us to attend meetings and provides us with access to information that is not restricted to the participating Member States.  There is no financial impact to our observer status on this project.  Meetings are attended by Brussels based Department of Defence staff.

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