Matt Carthy
Question:188. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on Ireland's participation in the Common Security and Defence Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24606/23]
View answerTuesday, 23 May 2023
Questions (188)
Written answers
The European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is a policy setting the EU’s framework in the field of defence and crisis management, including defence cooperation and coordination between Member States. Ireland is a strong proponent of the important role the EU can play in support of international peace and security and of the UN. It is essential, therefore, that Ireland remains fully engaged in all CSDP processes and contributes fully to the development of the policy in order that we can influence its evolution.
The Strategic Compass, approved by the Foreign Affairs Council and endorsed by the European Council in March of last year, outlines the way forward for the European Union in the field of security and defence. The Strategic Compass is a means of setting out the EU's shared strategic vision for CSDP and of enhancing the role of the EU in international peace and security. Progressing the 80 actions under the Compass is well advanced. It should be noted that decision-making power in relation to the Strategic Compass' proposed actions remain a national competence.
Ireland is engaged with a number of EU defence-related initiatives and frameworks, including the European Defence Agency (EDA), the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen), the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the European Peace Facility (EPF).The European Defence Agency (EDA) was set up in 2004 during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU and Ireland joined the Agency in July of that year. The EDA is an Agency of the European Union, which supports Member States to develop a range of capabilities and capability standards to support CSDP, in particular the deployment of military capabilities in support of Crisis Management Tasks, as outlined in the Treaty on European Union. Ireland’s participation in the Agency provides access to research and information on developing and maintaining professional capabilities and research that we cannot self-generate. This is important in terms of Ireland's ability to participate in UN-mandated Peacekeeping Operations. Ireland contributes, on an annual basis, to the operational budget of the EDA. In May 2017, the Council endorsed the modalities to establish the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD). This is a process which aims to create greater transparency by sharing Member States information on future defence policy, capability development, budgets and investment. All 27 EU Member States, including Ireland, participate and contribute to the CARD process.Ireland joined the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in 2017. The establishment of PESCO represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under CSDP. Under PESCO, Member States come together in different groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations. Ireland is currently participating in four PESCO projects and is an observer on a further nineteen projects. Ireland has participated in the EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) since 2007. The EU SatCen is an Agency that handles sensitive and classified data to support CSDP military operations and civilian missions. The Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs contribute to the budget of the EU SatCen. The European Defence Fund (EDF) is an industrial sectoral programme, providing funding for research and capability development, which supports the European Defence and Industrial Technology Base in delivering capabilities for Common Security Defence Policy operations. The EDF is funded within the Multiannual Financial Framework. Ireland contributes to the funding of common costs for EU military crisis management operations through the European Peace Facility (EPF). The EPF, established in March 2021, replaced the Athena Mechanism and the African Peace Facility. Under the EPF, the Department of Defence has responsibility for the financing of common costs relating to EU military operations under the EU's CSDP. The Department of Foreign Affairs has responsibility for the funding of African peace support operations, previously handled by the African Peace Facility, as well as EU Assistance Measures in order to provide assistance to individual countries and regional or sub-regional organisations.Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, the EPF has been utilised to provided assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Consistent with the terms of the Programme for Government, Ireland's share of Ukraine related assistance measures is being directed exclusively toward non-lethal support. The EU Military Assistance Mission (UAF) in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), which provides training to Ukraine's Armed Forces is also funded via Member States contributions to the EPF.
Sixteen Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed with EU CSDP missions, eight with EUTM Mali, five with Operation Althea in Boznia and Herzegovina and three are deployed to the operational headquarters of Operation Irini in Rome. In February of this year, the Government approved the participation of the Defence Forces in EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine. The primary role of the Defence Forces will be to provide training to members of the UAF in response to their identified needs including but not limited to C-IED training (Counter Improvised Explosive Devices), EOD training (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Combat Medical and Engineering. All training will take place on the territory of EU Member States. Some elements of training have already been undertaken by the Defence Forces. The Government and Dáil also approved the participation of a naval service ship in a CSDP mission, Operation Irini in June and July of this year.