Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
215. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the discussions he has had with the French, British and United States of America authorities in relation to any military intervention into Niger or the Sahel region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38099/23]
View answerI recently attended the informal meeting of EU Defence Ministers in Toledo, Spain where there was a wide range of discussions, including on the Sahel and specifically, the ongoing situation in Niger. Ministers also discussed more generally the state of play on EU Common Security & Defence Policy missions.
At that meeting, I underlined the importance of effective engagement and stressed that a more comprehensive discussion on Africa is needed.
Attendance at meetings such as the formal and informal meetings of EU Defence Ministers allows the opportunity to engage with my colleagues to ensure that Ireland's interests and concerns in the evolution of the EU's Common Security & Defence Policy are well understood.
In my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have also had discussions with colleagues on the situation in the Sahel and particularly the recent coups in Niger and Gabon. These are very concerning developments. I expressed clearly our view that the priority is the return to constitutional order through democratic and diplomatic means.
I have not held discussions in relation to any military intervention into Niger or the Sahel region in my remit as Minister for Defence with my counterparts in the United Kingdom or the United States of America.
