Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
119. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance given to date by Ireland to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility and the EU Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12536/23]
View answerThe EU has agreed approximately €5.5 billion in support to Ukraine under the European Peace Facility (EPF) thus far, with the latest package of support agreed by the Foreign Affairs Council on 20 March. This support consists of €5.12 billion for lethal equipment and approximately €380 million for non-lethal equipment, inclusive of a new Assistance Measure allowing for the procurement of lethal equipment for Ukraine.
In line with the Programme for Government, Ireland has constructively abstained on the lethal equipment elements of the package and will not contribute financially to this aspect, and will instead provide a corresponding contribution to the non-lethal Assistance Measure. Our total expected contribution currently stands at approximately €121 million exclusively for non-lethal support, such as such as personal protective equipment, medical kits and fuel.
The EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was launched in November 2022, and will provide specialised training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and coordinate existing Member State training activities. On 21 February 2023, the Government approved the participation of up to 30 Defence Forces’ personnel in EUMAM Ukraine.
The primary role of the Defence Forces will be to provide training to members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the EU Member States in which the training will take place. The potential training to be provided could include Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Training, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training, Combat Medical Training and Engineering Training. These trainers will be supplemented by a small number of staff positions in the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) based in Brussels, Belgium and in the Special Training Command (STC) based in Strausberg, Germany.
