Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
214. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to report on the military training of Ukrainian troops in areas such as marksmanship, which is outside the scope of the mandate for the mission approved by Dáil Éireann; if he will explain the reason the mandate was exceeded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38098/23]
View answerOn 21 February 2023, the Government approved the participation by the Defence Forces in the European Union's Military Assistance Measure in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) in such areas as
• C-IED training (Counter Improvised Explosive Devices)
• EOD training (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
• Combat Medical Training
• Engineering Training.
On 11 April, the Tánaiste approved the delivery by the Defence Forces to the Ukrainian Armed Forces of two suitable training modules - Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)/Combat Life Saver and Demining & Clearance. The TCCC course was delivered together with German Army medical trainers in Dornstadt, Germany, under the multinational Special Training Command (ST-C) in Germany, while the Demining and EOD Clearance was hosted in Cyprus from 24 April to 19 May, under the coordination responsibility of the Polish Combined Arms Training Command (CAT-C). Consideration is currently being given to the provision of further modules of these training courses later this year.
On 25 July, the Government approved the Defence Forces' enhanced engagement in the mission and agreed an extended list of training modules for delivery by the DF. In addition to the training modules already delivered, the extended list of training modules includes
• basic military training
• Do-King Mine Flail Training
• leadership training and
• drill instructor training.
The Government-approved list of training modules does not include marksmanship training.
All training to be delivered by the Defence Forces within the parameters of EUMAM Ukraine will be within the terms of the approval provided by Government.
Given that the mission is a training mission, the issue of Dáil approval for the deployment of DF personnel for participation in the mission does not arise.
