James Lawless
Question:88. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be examined and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13145/22]
View answerPassport Services
Questions (88)
Written answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant's parent directly to provide an update on the status of the passport application to the applicant and to advise on requirements for expediting a passport application in the case of a travel emergency.
Passport Services
Questions (89)
Niamh Smyth
Question:89. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of applications by persons (details supplied); if they will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13155/22]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport applications to the applicant.
Passport Services
Questions (90, 98)
Michael Ring
Question:90. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo given that this application was received in the passport office on 16 November 2021. [13200/22]
View answer
Róisín Shortall
Question:98. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a baby (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13401/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 98 together.
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.
Departmental Funding
Questions (91)
Carol Nolan
Question:91. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the independent non-governmental organisations, including organisations with charitable status, non-profit organisations, religious bodies including churches, social enterprises, clubs, societies that his Department has supported with financial assistance from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13240/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs provides funding to a range of non-governmental organisations through a series of grant schemes dedicated to delivering on the Government's priorities at home and abroad. These include support for international development overseas, development education in Ireland, reconciliation on the island of Ireland, emigrant support and information on the European Union as well as responding to humanitarian emergencies and promoting international peace and stability.
My Department publishes an annual report on Ireland's ODA programme, also known as Irish Aid, each year, detailing the totality of spend across Government on international development - approximately 60 percent of Ireland’s total ODA is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs with the balance administered though other Departments. The annual report includes a series of annexes detailing statistical information collated in accordance with agreed OECD standards on programme expenditure which show the amounts given through the various channels and countries, the distribution of aid, and the amounts allocated to priority focus areas. The annual report serves as a core accountability and transparency tool, providing a comprehensive overview of expenditure under the aid programme, and demonstrating the results that have been achieved. Annual Reports for 2020 and previous years are available on the Irish Aid website. The report on 2021 will be available later this year.
Similarly, the data on non-ODA grants to NGOs by the Department of Foreign Affairs is available in the Department's overall 2020 Annual Report. The data for 2021 will be available when the Annual Report is published in Q4 2022. A copy of this report will be made available to the Deputy following its publication.
Diplomatic Representation
Questions (92)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:92. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of diplomatic personnel and military attachés present in Ireland broken down by the country they represent in each of the years from 2017 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [13260/22]
View answerWritten answers
There are currently 63 resident diplomatic missions in Ireland. The table below sets out the total number of resident diplomatic staff and defence/military attachés notified to the Department of Foreign Affairs by each resident diplomatic mission under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR) 1961 in each of the years requested. These notifications are used to update the Diplomatic List, which is published on the Department’s website here: www.dfa.ie/embassies/embassies-in-ireland/.
The number of diplomatic staff notified to the Department under Article 10 of the VCDR fluctuates regularly due to the staff rotations of other states. The information for 2017 – 2021 is based on the Diplomatic List in January for each of these years. The information for 2022 is based on Article 10 notifications received by this Department as of 5th March 2022.
The information provided relates to staff of diplomatic rank only. It does not include administrative and technical staff or service staff, who are also notified to the Department of Foreign Affairs under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961.
Human Rights
Questions (93, 94)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:93. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to follow the example of governments (details supplied) and recognise the genocide of Uyghur Muslims by the Chinese government [13261/22]
View answerPeadar Tóibín
Question:94. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the findings of the Independent Uyghur Tribunal published in its final judgement in December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13262/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.
The Government position regarding the situation in Xinjiang, and, more recently, regarding the findings of the Uyghur People’s Tribunal, were set out in the Seanad on 1 December 2021 and on 9 February 2022.
Ireland remains deeply concerned about the evidence-based reports of human rights violations and abuses in Xinjiang. We have raised these concerns, along with our partners in the EU and the wider international community, on a number of occasions. I also raised these issues directly with my Chinese counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a visit to China in May 2021.
Ireland has consistently called on China to allow unrestricted and meaningful access to the region for independent observers, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and we note that some progress has been made towards a visit of the High Commissioner. We look forward to the High Commissioner’s report on human rights in Xinjiang.
Ireland’s approach regarding Xinjiang has been to cooperate with like-minded states through the multilateral system to demand progress on this issue. At the 48th UN Human Rights Council in September 2021, Ireland joined an EU Group Statement, which called on China to comply with its obligations under national and international law to respect and protect human rights, including in Xinjiang.
In October 2021, Ireland joined a cross-regional statement on the situation in Xinjiang, delivered at the Third Committee of the 76th UN General Assembly. The statement calls attention to the arbitrary detention of over a million people in Xinjiang and the “systematic human rights violations, including reports documenting torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.”
The EU has also initiated sanctions under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against four Chinese persons and one entity for their role in Xinjiang. These sanctions are designed to act as a deterrent and encourage changes in these actors’ behaviour. Sanctions are based on solid legal evidence and are deployed alongside other measures, including dialogue.
My Department has studied the report by the Uyghur People’s Tribunal in detail. Officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs met in person with representatives of the World Uyghur Congress following the publication of the report. This report is a further contribution to our understanding of the situation in Xinjiang. While the ‘Uyghur’s People’s Tribunal’ is not a judicial body with the authority to issue judgments on matters concerning international law, I recognise the significant work undertaken by its authors, including in collating reports from a number of different sources.
I am aware of the US Government’s finding that genocide and crimes against humanity occurred against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang. The term ‘genocide’ has a particular meaning under international law. Recognition of events definitively as genocide involves an analysis of both facts and law. Ireland follows the practice of recognising genocide only where this has been established by a final decision of a court in Ireland, or by a final judgment of an international court, or where there is international consensus on the matter. Such a final judgement has not taken place and international consensus has not been reached to date.
This in no way undermines the seriousness with which the Government approaches the situation in Xinjiang, or our commitment to pursue this matter and seek better protection of human rights for the Uyghur people. The protection and promotion of human rights is a core pillar of Ireland's foreign policy, and Ireland will continue to monitor and assess the situation and, along with our EU partners, engage with Chinese authorities bilaterally and in multilateral fora to address our concerns.
Question No. 94 answered with Question No. 93.
Foreign Policy
Questions (95)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:95. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of officials, companies and persons currently sanctioned by the Irish Government broken down by country and the reason for sanctioning in tabular form. [13264/22]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland implements both United Nations sanctions, as adopted by the UN Security Council, and EU sanctions, as adopted as part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy. Ireland does not apply unilateral sanctions.
There are 14 UN sanctions regimes, concerning Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, North Korea, Guinea Bissau, Iraq, ISIL (Da’esh) & Al-Qaida, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Yemen. UN sanctions are typically implemented in EU Member States through EU measures.
In addition to measures implementing UN sanctions, the EU also adopts its own sanctions. These are known as “autonomous” EU restrictive measures. In total, there are 45 EU sanctions regimes, including those that implement UN sanctions. A full list of all of the EU sanctions regimes is available on the EU Sanctions Map website, which is managed by the European Commission. The information is set out by sanctions regime, and with an interactive map that facilitates viewing sanctions by country. The website also sets out the individuals and entities sanctioned under each regime, as well as linking to the legal acts, which set out the designation criteria (i.e., the reasons for including people and entities in the sanctions lists).
Due to the volume of individuals and entities listed by UN and EU sanctions regimes, it is not possible to provide this information in tabular form. While some regimes have very few people or entities listed (for example, EU restrictive measures in view of the situation in Zimbabwe sanction one entity only), other regimes sanction hundreds of people and entities (for example, there are currently 702 individuals and 53 entities sanctioned by EU restrictive measures in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine). This information is nonetheless made available to the public by both the UN and EU. The UN publishes a consolidated list of all individuals and entities subject to sanctions measures adopted by the UN Security Council. Regarding EU sanctions, a consolidated list of persons, groups and entities subject to EU financial sanctions is available on the European Commission’s sanctions website.
Ukraine War
Questions (96)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:96. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration has been given to an aid match programme for Ukraine aid such as the one announced by the Canadian government and the Red Cross; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13302/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Foreign Affairs provides funding to a range of non-governmental organisations through a series of grant schemes dedicated to delivering on the Government's priorities at home and abroad. These include support for international development overseas, development education in Ireland, reconciliation on the island of Ireland, emigrant support and information on the European Union as well as responding to humanitarian emergencies and promoting international peace and stability.
My Department publishes an annual report on Ireland's ODA programme, also known as Irish Aid, each year, detailing the totality of spend across Government on international development - approximately 60 percent of Ireland’s total ODA is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs with the balance administered though other Departments. The annual report includes a series of annexes detailing statistical information collated in accordance with agreed OECD standards on programme expenditure which show the amounts given through the various channels and countries, the distribution of aid, and the amounts allocated to priority focus areas. The annual report serves as a core accountability and transparency tool, providing a comprehensive overview of expenditure under the aid programme, and demonstrating the results that have been achieved. Annual Reports for 2020 and previous years are available on the Irish Aid website. The report on 2021 will be available later this year.
Similarly, the data on non-ODA grants to NGOs by the Department of Foreign Affairs is available in the Department's overall 2020 Annual Report. The data for 2021 will be available when the Annual Report is published in Q4 2022. A copy of this report will be made available to the Deputy following its publication.
Passport Services
Questions (97)
Róisín Shortall
Question:97. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a baby (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13381/22]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passport to the applicant.
Question No. 98 answered with Question No. 90.
Passport Services
Questions (99)
Róisín Shortall
Question:99. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when a passport will issue for a child (details supplied) in Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13434/22]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific passport application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has contacted the applicant's parent directly and provided a status update on the application.
Election Monitoring Missions
Questions (100)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:100. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of election observers that Ireland will be sending to the forthcoming Hungarian elections; his views on whether it would be prudent to send at least ten observers to these elections in order that Ireland can play its part in ensuring all European Union elections are organised to the highest standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13448/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) has requested Member States to nominate candidates for the position of Observers for the OSCE ODIHR Election Observation Mission to Hungary for the Parliamentary elections and referendum which are scheduled to take place on 3 April 2022.
This followed the OSCE ODIHR Assessment Mission visit to Budapest at the end of January 2022 and the publication of its report on 4 February 2022 which recommended a full Election Observation Mission with 18 Long-Term Observers and 200 Short-Term Observers.
The Department has agreed to the nomination of up to three Short-Term Observers from the Department’s Election Observation Roster. This is in line with commitments made by fellow EU Member States in supporting this mission.
Members of the volunteer election observation roster have been notified by my Department and officials will process applications as these are received. The deadline for nominations by Member States is 8 March 2022. The final selection of nominated candidates will be made by the OSCE ODIHR.
As a member of the likeminded group of EU Member States on the rule of law, Ireland supports the democratic process in Hungary and joins with other likeminded EU Member States in supporting the OSCE ODIHR mission.
Departmental Funding
Questions (101)
Carol Nolan
Question:101. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Defence the details of the independent non-governmental organisations, including organisations with charitable status, non-profit organisations, religious bodies including churches, social enterprises, clubs, societies that his Department has supported with financial assistance from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13235/22]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has provided financial assistance to the following non-government organisations since the start of 2020.
|
Organisation |
2020 € |
2021 € |
2022 € |
|
Irish Red Cross |
965,000 |
975,000 |
211,250 * |
|
Sail Training Ireland |
20,000 |
- |
- |
|
Óglaigh Náisiúnta na hÉireann |
100,000 |
100,000 |
|
|
Irish United Nations Veterans Association |
11,000 |
11,000 |
*This is the first quarter payment for 2022 of the annual grant paid to Irish Red Cross. The overall grant each year includes the Government’s annual contribution of €130,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Defence Forces
Questions (102)
Colm Burke
Question:102. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence the status of the work to address gender-based issues and concerns within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13358/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, following Government approval on 25 January last, an Independent Review Group, under the Chair of retired High Court Judge, Bronagh O’Hanlon, has been established to examine issues relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconducty, as well as workplace culture, in the Defence Forces.
On foot of engagements both I and my officials have had in recent months, with a number of stakeholders, including both serving and former members, I have publicly acknowledged that the systems, policies and pervading culture in the Defence Forces, have not, and are not serving all Defence Forces personnel well.
The Independent Review Group will, in particular:-
- Advise on whether the current legislative frameworks, policies, procedures and practices for addressing incidents of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace are effective.
- Independently assess whether the pervading culture in the workplace is fully aligned with the principles of dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.
- Provide recommendations and guidance on measures and strategies required to underpin a workplace based on dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.
While the Independent Review has the support of stakeholders, including serving members of the Defence Forces and a separate group representing former members, the Men and Women of Honour Group, I acknowledge the disappointment expressed by the Women of Honour group, who have been seeking the establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry.
However, I am strongly aware of the need for immediate action to ensure that serving members of the Defence Forces are able to undertake their duties in a work place that is safe, and underpinned by core principles of dignity and equality, and where there is zero tolerance of unacceptable behaviour.
This Independent Review is seen as a critical and vital step in this endeavour.
The Terms of Reference for the Review are wide-ranging and provide that Government may consider further work on receipt of the Independent Review findings. I wish to be very clear therefore, that the Government is not ruling out further work or an Inquiry in the future, regarding allegations of a historical nature.
I sincerely hope that all former and serving members of the Defence Forces and other stakeholders will engage with the Independent Review Group, as their contribution will be critically important in taking this work forward. In addition, the Terms of the Review provide that submissions can be made to the Review Group.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have set out an ambitious timetable for the Group and I have requested an interim report within 6 months with a final report within 12 months, which I intend to bring to Government.
In addition, I wish to re-assure the Deputy that the Defence Forces are committed to promoting gender equality and to ensuring that the principles of equality are reflected in employment policies, procedures and instructions.
These commitments are exemplified in the 2016 Defence Forces Equality Policy and in the Defence Forces Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan. Furthermore, the organisation has published its third Action Plan for the Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions (2020-2024), which sets out the Defence Forces commitment to promoting gender equality as well as strengthening women’s participation and protection across a range of settings, including conflict settings.
Separately and following a WRC ruling of December 2020, the Defence Forces have carried out a comprehensive review of training and information materials, instructions and local practices with the intention of ensuring that they are in line with Irish anti-discrimination legislation. This review is now complete and is currently under consideration. Any required follow-actions will be progressed in line with the timelines set out in the ruling.
Naval Service
Questions (103)
Colm Burke
Question:103. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence the status of the work to increase the number of naval officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13359/22]
View answerWritten answers
The current strength of the Naval Service, as at 31st January 2022, is 869 personnel, which includes 159 officers or 87% of officer agreed strength.
The Government has acknowledged there are ongoing challenges in the Naval Service and, in that context, a number of initiatives are being implemented to counter current staffing challenges and these will play a role in restoring and retaining capacity. These include: -
- A Naval Service seagoing commitment scheme
- A special tax credit for seagoing Naval Service personnel
- A re-entry scheme for former personnel
- Ongoing recruitment, including direct entry competitions
- The ongoing review of the scope, and terms and conditions, of direct entry competitions to improve intakes
- Significant progress on pay within the Defence Forces arising from the Public Service Pay Commission recommendations and increases from recent pay agreements
In additon, following consideration by a high-level civil military group, a range of recommendations on the regeneration of the Naval Service are also being progressed.
Further, the work of the Commission on the Defence Forces included consideration of recruitment and retention matters. The Commission’s report was published on the 9 February 2022. The next stage in the process will involve careful consideration of the recommendations and inter-departmental and stakeholder consultation. On completion of this process, I intend to bring a proposed response to the report’s recommendations and a high-level action plan to the Government for consideration.
Defence Forces
Questions (104)
Colm Burke
Question:104. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence the efforts to promote careers in the Defence Forces particularly among school leavers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13360/22]
View answerWritten answers
The military authorities have advised that advertising for recruitment campaigns is placed across all major social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Tiktok); radio stations, along with Spotify/Acast adverts being placed on digital radio. Adverts will also be placed on popular webpages.
In addition to proactively engaging with ‘gatekeepers’, by participating in relevant events such as career guidance counsellor conferences, the Defence Forces continue to be engaged in providing career talks within schools, regularly participating in virtual career talks through career guidance websites and holding regular 'Question and Answer' sessions on social media channels with the desired demographic.
Gender-balanced recruitment teams attend TY events and other recruitment/job fairs where newly updated recruitment information booklets, leaflets and merchandise are available.
The Defence Forces remain committed to promoting careers within the organisation and so optimising the number of personnel inducted. In 2022 this will entail General Service Recruits, Cadets, Air Corps Apprentice Aircraft Technicians and specialists for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service being targeted.
Defence Forces
Questions (105)
Colm Burke
Question:105. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence his views on the need to ensure the Defence Forces has the capability to patrol Irish territorial waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13361/22]
View answerWritten answers
My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Defence Forces is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service to carry out their roles as assigned by Government.
The Naval Service, as the State's principal sea-going agency, is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main day to day tasking of the Naval Service is to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State's obligations as a member of the European Union, it also carries out a number of other non-fishery related tasks in tandem with maritime surveillance. As such any Naval Service patrol should be viewed as a multi-faceted activity. The Naval Service carry out a significant security role. By its nature, often that security role goes unrecognised or unacknowledged but it is vital to Ireland's national priorities and interests. In terms of fishery protection, the Naval Service is tasked with patrolling all Irish waters from the shoreline to the outer limits of the EEZ.
The Air Corps Maritime Patrol Squadron carries out aerial surveillance of the EEZ using two CASA 235 maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft are equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance and communication equipment which offers aerial assistance to the Naval Service in patrolling the EEZ.
At any one time the Naval Service can have a number of ships on active operations around the Irish EEZ whilst a number of others are undergoing routine resupply, maintenance and down time for ships companies.
The White Paper on Defence sets out an ambitious programme of capital investment in the Naval Service, including the mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class of vessels, and the replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi-role vessel (MRV). The MRV is an important element of the Defence Equipment Development Plan and is provided for in the Government's National Development Plan as a major capital project. It is the Government’s intention that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks.
The White Paper on Defence also provides for the replacement of the CASA 235s with consideration to be given to their replacement with larger more capable aircraft. A contract for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft was entered into with Airbus Defence and Space in December 2019, with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023.
With regard to security and surveillance matters within Irish territorial waters, primary responsibility for the maintenance of law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State rests with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice. One of the roles assigned to the Defence Forces is to provide Aid to the Civil Power which, in practice, means to assist An Garda Siochána when requested to do so. This assistance can include direct support from the Naval Service.
The Commission on the Defence Forces recently published their report on the 9th February 2022. The Commission have undertaken a significant body of work encompassing wide-ranging terms of reference. The report contains 69 main recommendations and together with sub recommendations, there are 130 recommendations. The Commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service.
It is anticipated that this process will take at least four to five months in order to bring a considered and comprehensive proposal back to Government to address the fundamental issues that the Commission have set out.
Defence Forces
Questions (106)
Colm Burke
Question:106. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence the involvement the Defence Forces will have in assisting with the settlement of refugees arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13362/22]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is continuing to provide strong political and practical support for Ukraine and we continue to assert Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Government has stated that Ireland will play its part in assisting people from the Ukraine and has already lifted visa requirements to allow people from the Ukraine who want to seek safety here in Ireland to do so as easily as possible.
The European Union has agreed a package of €500 million in military assistance for Ukraine. While Ireland has constructively abstained on the lethal equipment package, we are paying our full share (approx €10 million) and our funding will go to non-lethal elements.
The Taoiseach confirmed over the weekend that the Government will provide a further €10 million in humanitarian aid, adding to the €10 million announced on the first day of the invasion.
While the Defence Forces are not a primary response agency for non-security related emergencies, they do provide the fullest possible assistance within means and capabilities to the Lead Department or Principal Response Agency in the event of an emergency situation in its Aid to Civil Authority role. In relation to the settlement of refugees, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is the lead Department and they are engaging with my Department and the Defence Forces on land use and temporary shelter options.
Also, logistical support that could be provided by the Defence Forces to the lead Department is currently being explored.
The Defence Forces as always stand ready to provide whatever assistance is possible within their capacity and capability.
Defence Forces
Questions (107)
Colm Burke
Question:107. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Defence if it is envisaged that the Defence Forces would participate in peacekeeping measures should the need arise on the European continent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13363/22]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has always been a strong supporter of the United Nations and UN Peacekeeping. Our commitment and support for the primary role of the United Nations, in the maintenance of international peace and security, is expressed in Ireland's long-standing tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations. This commitment is also expressed in our engagement in the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
The statutory authority for the despatch of contingents of the Permanent Defence Force for service overseas is set out in Section 2 of the Defence (Amendment) (No.2) Act, 1960 as amended by the Defence (Amendment) Act, 2006. In this regard, the conditions, which have been referred to as the “triple lock”, must be satisfied - i.e.
- the operation must be authorised/mandated by the United Nations;
- it must be approved by the Government; and
- it must be approved by way of a resolution of Dáil Éireann, where the size of a Defence Forces contribution is more than twelve personnel.
The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces constantly review the deployment of Irish personnel overseas. Any decision with regard to future deployments of Defence Forces personnel would have to be considered by reference to a number of other considerations, including the resourcing of the mission and the level of existing commitments to other peacekeeping operations and security requirements at home.