Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 5

Written Answers. - Partnership for Peace.

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

169 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland proposes to play a dominant role in peacekeeping or peace enforcement in the context of Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8621/00]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

170 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs Ireland's proposals in respect of participation in Partnership for Peace with particular reference to the expectation at European level of Ireland's participation in military training exercises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8622/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.

When joining Partnership for Peace on 1 December, 1999, Ireland set out in its presentation document the main areas of interest in it. Central to these is co-operation in the context of peacekeeping and peace support operations, and humanitarian tasks. Ireland is already participating actively in PfP and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council.

Co-ordination arrangements have been set up under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs regarding Irish participation in PfP and, in particular, the development of Ireland's individual partnership programme, reflecting the priority areas in the presentation document. Officials from the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Defence have been selected for assignment to Ireland's PfP office in Brussels.

As set out in the presentation document, the question of participation in PfP military training exercises is of interest to Ireland. Participation in such exercises is a matter for the Minister for Defence in the first instance.