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European Union

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2022

Tuesday, 28 June 2022

Questions (96)

Neale Richmond

Question:

96. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on Ireland’s role in the European Union Strategic Compass Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33649/22]

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Written answers

The Strategic Compass is an exercise intended to provide enhanced political and strategic direction for EU security and defence policy for the next five to ten years.

It sets out an analysis of the strategic environment and, in particular, the security and defence challenges faced by the EU, including emerging threats, the increasingly contested multi-polar world and the strategic implications for the EU. The recent invasion of Ukraine shows the value of having such a strategic document.

Following the presentation and consideration of several revisions of the text, a final draft was approved by Foreign and Defence Ministers at the Foreign Affairs Council on 21 March 2022 and endorsed by EU leaders at the European Council on 24-25 March. 

Ireland engaged with and inputted fully into the work on the Compass, as reflected in our co-signature of non-papers during the dialogue phase covering broad areas of the Compass’s work including Partnerships, Crisis Management, and Civilian CSDP. We also produced a paper on Force Generation, which presents a practical solution to the manpower issues faced by military CSDP missions.

The Strategic Compass is a welcome means of setting out our shared strategic vision for CSDP and of enhancing the role of the EU in international peace and security. The Compass reflects the core values that underpin our approach to CSDP, including the commitment to effective multilateralism and the rules-based international order, notably through our partnership with the UN.   

Recently, an overview and proposed timelines of the Implementation of the Strategic Compass was shared with Member States. While discussions continue on the actions and associated proposed timelines, it should be noted that decision-making power in relation to the individual actions proposed in the Compass, remains a national competence. Nothing in the Compass prejudices the specific character of the security and defence policy of any Member State and this must remain the case through the implementation phase.

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