As of 1 June, Ireland was participating in four EU CSDP missions, with twenty-one members of the Defence Forces deployed as follows
• EUTM Mali – eight (8)
• Operation Althea in Boznia and Herzegovina – five (5) - with a further (1) Defence Force member deployed to the Operational Headquarters of the operation in Mons, Belgium
• EUMAM Ukraine – four (4), of whom one (1) is in Brussels and three (3) in Germany
• Operation Irini – three (3).
Those numbers are augmented from time-to-time by the deployment of small teams of trainers as part of EUMAM Ukraine. One such training module has been delivered in Cyprus and other will shortly be delivered in Germany.
Meanwhile, the LÉ William Butler Yeats will commence operations with Operation Irini in the Mediterranean on the 21st June.
At present, there are no plans for Irish participation in any additional EU military Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions.
With regard to any deployments of Defence Forces personnel on CSDP missions, Ireland gives consideration to participation in various missions on a case-by-case basis.
The changing nature of demands and potential future mission profiles need to be considered in the context of assets and capabilities which can be made available by the Defence Forces for overseas deployment, given existing operational demands at home and overseas.
When considering any particular request, the following factors are taken into account:
• An assessment of whether a peacekeeping operation is the most appropriate response;
• Consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy;
• The degree of risk involved;
• The extent to which the required skills or characteristics relate to Irish capabilities;
• The existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate, which has the potential to contribute to a political solution;
• Whether the operation is adequately resourced;
• The level of existing commitments to peacekeeping operations and security requirements at home.
The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces jointly review the overseas deployment and planned deployment of Defence Forces personnel on an ongoing basis and will continue to do so.
