Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
73. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will clarify the number of members of the IDF who have visited and/or trained in the State, are currently training or visiting or where plans exist for them to do so; the precise areas of military and related training or visitation involved; the cost or payment to the State of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2742/24]
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. Ireland has successfully delivered on our training pledges to the UN and is strongly recognised for its expertise in delivering these courses, particularly the Protection of Civilians course. Countries who are members of the United Nations can apply to participate on these courses.
In addition, Ireland has been a member of Partnership for Peace since 1999 and part of our commitments under this Programme is to host PfP training courses which Ireland has done over the last decade.
Costs in the main are met by the home nation of the foreign student and in the case of PfP training courses, funding has been made available to Ireland from the Programme to host the courses.
I have been advised by Military Management of the following details in relation to Israeli Defence Forces personnel attendance at these courses conducted in Ireland since 2001.
Table 1: Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) personnel attendance at courses conducted in the Irish Defence Forces since 2001.
|
Year |
Course Title |
IDF Participants |
Remarks |
|
UNTSI (UN Training School Ireland) |
|||
|
2001 |
United Nations Military Observer and Staff Officer Course |
1 |
|
|
2018 |
International Protection of Civilians Course |
1 |
|
|
2018 |
International Civil Military Relations Course |
2 |
|
|
2019 |
International Civil Military Relations Course |
1 |
|
|
Ordnance School |
|||
|
2010 |
NATO Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD) |
1 |
|
|
2017 |
NATO Commanders Marauding Counter Terrorism Attack Course |
1 |
Civilian Student |
|
Other Defence Forces Courses |
|||
|
2019 |
UN Buddy First Aid Course |
1 |
Conducted in Galway by CMU on behalf of UN |
Military Management have also advised that the costs for these courses are borne by the home nation of the foreign student and that there are currently no plans for Israeli Defence Forces personnel to attend Irish Defence Forces training courses in 2024.
