Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
81. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many members of the Israeli Defence Forces have attended the Irish Military College since 2011; how many are currently attending the Military College; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2777/24]
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. These courses were open for application from all countries who are members of the UN which included Israel and are detailed below.
In addition, the Defence Forces also deliver a course as part of our commitment to the Partnership for Peace Programme which we have been part of since 1999. A course organised under this programme included a participant from the Israeli Defence Forces.
I have been advised by Military Management of the following details in relation to the Israeli Defence Forces personnel attendance at these courses conducted in the Irish Defence Forces since 2011.
Table 1: Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) personnel attendance at courses conducted in the Irish Defence Forces since 2011.
|
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 |
|
|
Ordnance School |
|||
|
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 there are currently no plans for Israeli Defence Forces personnel to attend Irish Defence Forces training courses in 2024.
