Gay Mitchell
Ceist:8 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the role, if any, his Department will play in Partnership for Peace and the Petersberg Tasks arrangements. [4300/00]
Ceisteanna – Questions. - Partnership for Peace.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, under the direction of the Minister, Deputy Cowen, plays a leading role in assisting the Government on policy matters relating to developments in European security. Mr. Cowen's predecessor as Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy David Andrews, signed the PfP framework document on 1 December last. Since then Ireland has attended ambassadorial and other official level meetings of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and PfP meetings.
Arrangements have been set up under the aegis of the Department in the context of co-ordinating Irish participation in PfP and in particular the individual partnership programme for Ireland, reflecting Ireland's Presentation Document which was approved by Dáil Éireann last year. Officials from the Department have been selected for assignment to Ireland's office in the PfP wing at NATO headquarters in Brussels. Discussions have been held with the NATO international staff relating to the provision of appropriate office space for Ireland in the PfP wing. The Department maintains liaison with other Departments principally concerned, notably the Department of Defence.
In relation to the Petersberg tasks, the General Affairs Council has been mandated by the Helsinki European Council to follow up on the decisions taken at Helsinki in December last. Further progress reports will be submitted by the Portuguese Presidency to the European Council meetings in March and June. The Department is centrally involved in this work and consults the Department of Defence as appropriate.
How does the Government intend meeting our new commitments under Partnership for Peace and the Petersberg Tasks at a time when well placed people in the Army are clearly indicating they are unable to meet our commitments in Lebanon and other places? How does the Government intend to provide the necessary equipment for Ireland to meet its commitments in both of these arrangements?
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate this question is a matter for the Minister for Defence in the first instance and I do not propose to comment on matters which are his business. The Minister for Defence will answer questions on this issue tomorrow.
How many people will be appointed on this delegation to the Partnership for Peace? Where will they be located and what will be their terms of reference?
Decisions have been not yet taken on this matter. It is under consideration and the Deputy will be informed in due course.