Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2024
21. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the purpose of nominating the head of the Irish Defence Forces for election to the position of Chair of the European Union Military Committee; and how much their nomination and subsequent campaign will cost the State. [13289/24]
View answerThe European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is the highest military body within the EU. It is composed of the Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) of the EU's Member States who, on a day to day basis, are represented in Brussels by the Military Representatives from the Permanent Representations of the Member States to the EU.
The Government has agreed to nominate Lt. Gen. Clancy as a candidate for the position of Chair of the EUMC, to follow the completion of the term of the current occupant, Austrian General Robert Breiger. This will be the second time that Ireland has nominated a Chair of the EUMC, following the previous unsuccessful nomination of Vice Admiral Mark Mellet, and demonstrates Ireland’s commitment to the EU at this important time, particularly in light of the more volatile security and defence environment resulting from Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. In addition to Austria, a number of other neutral countries have held the Chair of the EUMC over the years.
There is no cost to the State associated with the nomination and costs around the campaign will be expected to be limited to travel within the EU that the Chief of Staff may chose to undertake to meet with his counterparts in advance of the election on the 15th May. Should the Chief of Staff be successful in being elected as Chair of the EUMC, additional costs will arise in terms of providing a suitable residence, transport, and the applicable overseas allowances for the C/EUMC along with accommodation costs and allowances for deployed support personnel.
The detail of these costs will be worked out in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs, and with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in the context of the Estimates process in relation to the required operational supports and arrangements.
