Seán Power
Ceist:170 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Defence the future role in Europe he foresees for the Defence Forces; and the way in which this will impact on our overseas commitments. [26026/00]
Written Answers. - Overseas Missions.
Current developments are based on the aim of the Amsterdam Treaty's objectives of making the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy more effective, more coherent, and more visible. The capabilities commitment conference to be held in Brussels on 20-21 November represents the culmination of a range of planning work directed at giving effect to the Treaty of Amsterdam and the more recent EU Council decisions at Cologne, Helsinki and Feira in relation to security and defence matters.
Following the decisions taken at the Cologne European Council in June 1999, the Helsinki European Council adopted the concept of the EU Headline Goal for the provision of military self-sustaining forces of up to 15 brigades or 50,000-60,000 persons to undertake the full range of Petersberg Tasks. These forces are to be capable of being deployed at 60 days notice for up to one year and available in 2003.
The elaboration of the Headline Goal will facilitate the achievement by 2003 of an EU capacity to conduct Petersberg Tasks. The development by the EU of this role is consistent with Ireland's tradition of involvement in UN peacekeeping missions. The centrality of the UN and the primary role of the UN Security Council in matters of peace and security is explicitly recognised by the EU. Ireland would only participate in missions authorised by the UN. Participation in an individual "Petersberg" mission remains a sovereign decision by the Government in every instance and on a case by case basis and any decision to participate would require Dáil approval in accordance with existing legislation.
The White Paper on Defence, published earlier this year, sets out key elements of Government policy on overseas peace support operations. It recognises the important role that these operations play as an element of Ireland's foreign and security policy and as a demonstration of support for the United Nations and the conduct of international relations according to the UN Charter. Furthermore, the White Paper sets out a comprehensive development strategy for the Defence Forces to ensure that they are geared to face the challenges and opportunities of the evolving defence and security environment. Most importantly, the White Paper makes provision for a significant new equipment investment programme.
The capabilities commitment conference is intended to enable EU member states, and other countries, to indicate formally the capabilities which they have available for the Headline Goal. The Government has now approved proposals submitted jointly with my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs in preparation for next week's conference. The Government's decision authorises the commitment of up to 850 members of the Defence Forces from within the current United Nations standby arrangements system commitment of 8 50. As participation will only arise where UN authorisation is in place the commitment to the EU Headline Goal will not impinge in a negative way on the overall thrust of the overseas peacekeeping effort. As participation in any individual mission will be considered by Government on a case by case basis, this will enable us to determine on each occasion how best to balance commitments to an EU led operation – under UN authorisation – with our support for UN led peace support operations within the overall number.
The planned contribution to the EU Headline Goal in no way degrades our commitment to UN peacekeeping. This contribution reinforces in a very conspicuous way our continued intention to support efforts to maximise international peace and stability. At a time when the UN increasingly looks to regional organisations to undertake peace support operations on its behalf, it is critical to support efforts at EU level to give effect to the provisions of the Treaty of Amsterdam. What is involved in developing the Headline Goal is no more than giving effect to the treaty.
As the White Paper on Defence recognised and I know that the Deputies will agree, Irish soldiers have played a significant role in seeking to bring peace to many parts of the world and have deservedly won the respect and admiration of people at home and abroad.