Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 4

Written Answers. - Partnership for Peace.

David Stanton

Ceist:

98 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence the Government's commitments under the State's involvement with Partnership for Peace; the way these commitments are being met; the costings involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9261/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

104 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if it is intended that Irish military personnel would participate at all levels in regard to responsibilities arising from the Partnership for Peace; if not, if it is intended they should participate at specific levels and instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9267/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

109 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of Irish military personnel posted to various responsibilities arising from Partnership for Peace; the number expected to eventually participate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9272/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98, 104 and 109 together.

Ireland's approach to participation in Partnership for Peace, PfP, was set out in the presentation document of 1 December 1999, which was approved by this House. The presentation document included the five priority areas of cooperation on international peacekeeping; humanitarian operations; search and rescue; co-operation in the protection of the environment and co-operation in marine matters.

Ireland's objectives for participation in PfP include: to promote the development of a just and peaceful international society based on the rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; to foster democratic control of armed forces internationally; to contribute to development of best practice in the areas of international peacekeeping and humanitarian operations; to enhance the capabilities of military officers, civil servants and diplomats engaged in the shaping and executing of security and defence policies; to enhance the capabilities, including the area of interoperability, of Ireland's Defence Forces for peacekeeping, preventative and crisis management operations under UN mandates; to enhance the capabilities of Ireland's Defence Forces, Civil Defence and other relevant organisations to contribute to the areas of civil emergency planning; to share information and expertise particularly in the area of international peacekeeping, arms control, civil emergency planning, humanitarian operations, search and rescue, scientific and environmental issues.

It will be recalled that participation in PfP is entirely 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.

Following on from joining PfP, an Individual Partnership Programme, IPP, for Ireland's participation has recently been agreed. This is Ireland's first IPP and therefore provides an initial presentation of Ireland's broad approach and planned activities. Ireland's policy approach will be developed in the light of initial experience and the IPP has been drawn up in a flexible form to allow for the adjustment in the light of ongoing experience.

Details of the planned activities, which allow for adjustment based on policy development and the availability of financial and other resources, have been placed in the Oireachtas library.

The activities chosen are, in the main, training courses, seminars and table top exercises and will involve participation at officer level and non-commisioned officer level. A sum of $245,000 has been allocated in 2001 for participation in such activities.