Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
72. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what specific training members of the Israeli Defence Forces received during their time in Ireland; how many members of the Israeli Defence Forces have received training in Ireland since 2018; if there are any Israeli military personal currently training in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2792/24]
View answerAt the United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial held in Vancouver in 2017, Ireland pledged certain training capabilities for delivery in Ireland at the UN Training School in the Curragh (UNTSI). The military courses were in response to an identified UN need and offered as part of the UN Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System. It is open to all countries who are members of the UN to seek places on these courses. Ireland has successfully delivered on our training pledges to the UN.
The Protection of Civilians course in particular is a training competence where the UN recognises Ireland's strong expertise in delivering courses to international students.
I have been advised by Military Management of the following details in relation to Israeli Defence Forces personnel who have attended these courses conducted in the Irish Defence Forces since 2018.
Table 1: Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) attendance at courses conducted in the Irish Defence Forces since 2018.
|
Year |
Course Title |
IDF Participants |
Remarks |
|
UNTSI (UN Training School Ireland) |
|||
|
2018 |
International Protection of Civilians Course |
1 |
|
|
2018 |
International Civil Military Relations Course |
2 |
|
|
2019 |
International Civil Military Relations Course |
1 |
|
|
Other Defence Force Courses |
|||
|
2019 |
UN Buddy First Aid Course |
1 |
Conducted in Galway by CMU on behalf of UN |
Military Management has also advised that there are currently no plans for Israeli Defence Forces personnel to attend Irish Defence Forces training courses in 2024.
