Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:40 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the changes, if any, likely in training, equipment and procedures with participation in Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26238/99]
Written Answers. - Partnership for Peace.
Willie Penrose
Ceist:54 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the views expressed by the president of PDFORRA at its recent annual conference that additional funding of up to £200 million would be required over the next four years to allow the Defence Forces to meet its commitments, particularly in view of Ireland's membership of Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26187/99]
Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:55 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the cost of Ireland's participation in Partnership for Peace for the Defence Forces; the discussions, if any, which have taken place in regard to the participation of the Defence Forces in Partnership for Peace exercises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26260/99]
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:87 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Defence the additional financial obligations, if any, which will arise for the Defence Forces arising from the decision to join Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26193/99]
Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:90 Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Defence the projected cost to his Department and to the Defence Forces of membership of NATO's Partnership for Peace. [26324/99]
John Gormley
Ceist:92 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence the specific military exercises, if any, the Government has agreed to participate in under Partnership for Peace. [26098/99]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:107 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent, if any, to which it is proposed to re-equip the Air Corps arising from participation in Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26472/99]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:108 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree to which the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service have co-operated with the military authorities in other EU member states in the context of Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26473/99]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:111 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to re-equip the Army in the context of participation in Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26476/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 54, 55, 87, 90, 92, 107, 108 and 111 together.
Participation in PfP imposes no mandatory financial obligations for Ireland. Participation is voluntary and is based on the principle of self-differentiation, that is a state selects for itself the nature and scope of its participation in PfP activities. The areas of interest to Ireland are as set out in the presentation document which was approved by Dáil Éireann on 9 November 1999 and which was presented to the NATO secretariat upon signature by Ireland of the PfP framework document on 1 December 1999. Following Dáil approval, Ireland joined PfP and the EAPC on that date. In view of the increasing role which PfP is playing in facilitating co-operation in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and humanitarian operations within Europe in support of the United Nations, it is envisaged that participation by the Defence Forces will relate to activities in those areas in order to develop capacity for future co-operation. Such participation will assist the Defence Forces in improving their capability for multi-national peacekeeping and peace support operations in the future. It is the policy of the Government to ensure that the Defence Forces are adequately trained, equipped and resourced to undertake whatever overseas operations with which they are tasked from time to time in line with the situation as enunciated by the Taoiseach that participation in PfP need not involve any significant rise in defence spending but simply a more productive use of existing resources under a planned approach over the next ten years.
On the basis of its presentation document Ireland will shortly develop, in consultation with the NATO secretariat, an individual partnership programme which will cover a two year period initially and which will set out the level and extent of proposed participation in such areas as co-operation in peacekeeping principles, doctrine, training and exercises and inter-operability in peacekeeping operations. The contribution which the Defence Forces can make in the light of their peacekeeping experience as well as the resources which can be offered, such as the United Nations Training School at the Curragh, will also be reflected in the individual partnership programme. Co-ordination arrangements between the Departments principally concerned have been set up. No decisions, however, have as yet been made in relation to specific activities to be included within the individual partnership programme.
With regard to costs, each state funds its own participation in PfP activities. In addition, states contribute to the cost of mounting exercises in which they decide to take part. In the case of participation by the Defence Forces in PfP activities, it is envisaged that any costs arising within the Defence Vote in a specific year will be proportionate to the level of participation selected in advance and reflected in the individual partnership programme and will be balanced, taking account of overall budgetary constraints as well as existing operational commitments by the Defence Forces both at home and overseas. Certain staffing and other administrative costs will also fall to be met by the Defence Vote in respect of the assignment of military and civilian staff to the mission in Brussels and at the Department's headquarters in Dublin. It is also envisaged that Ireland will be represented at the PfP co-ordination cell in Mons, Belgium, where we already maintain a military liaison officer for SFOR and KFOR.