Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 6 Jul 2010

Vol. 204 No. 1

Arms Trafficking

Senator David Norris

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen. I believe he has already been made aware by the person who contacted me of the substance of some of the matters which were of concern and which I raise. They are extremely serious, highly important and controversial matters and, if true, extremely damaging both to this country's reputation and to the Irish Army.

The allegations suggest that serving and former members of the Irish Army were first retained as security advisers and then, as part of a company, became advisers to the Government of the Seychelles. The Seychelles Government was under the impression that a United States intelligence organisation was bugging certain state offices and a sweep was made. This was denied by the American authorities but a subsequent investigation involved some of these people. Intriguingly, they were involved in a company which they called CIA and which detected the presence of bugs or claimed to do so. Subsequently, they became enmeshed with the Seychelles Government and this is now a matter of considerable concern in the Seychelles. The Le Noveau Seychelles Weekly newspaper has carried front page stories and articles determining this and making the people of the Seychelles aware of the situation.

It is alleged that these Irish Army officers, having profited from their involvement in two firms, CIA and Aver, went on to develop their interest in co-ordination with certain elements within the Seychelles Government. They went on an arms buying spree and bought a considerable number and variety of arms on the black market in South Africa. They were sold back to highly dangerous organisations operating within the Seychelles. That is the substance of the allegations.

The allegations have been widely distributed through the electronic media on a website with which the Minister is familiar. A question has been asked in the other House by a Member from Sinn Féin, which is interesting, and some people might find that slightly ironic. In any case, these matters appear to have been widely dispersed not just in the Seychelles newspapers, electronic media and questions being asked in the Dáil by Deputy Martin Ferris but also by an interesting and significant article in the Sunday Independent of 13 June last by Mr. Tom Prenderville. He has indicated that he is also very clearly aware of the allegations and there is apparently an investigation into the matter.

Will the Minister reassure the House that these allegations are being substantially investigated? Is it true that former or serving officers of the Irish Army also involve themselves in the operations of security firms both here and in the Seychelles? I remind the Minister that these matters came before the High Court with sworn affidavits and documentary evidence, so there is at least some circumstantial proof.

Will the Minister determine if there is an Army or Garda inquiry ongoing on the international ramifications of the matter? Have existing or retired members of the Irish Army been involved in buying arms on the black market in the Seychelles and selling them to disreputable organisations within that country? That is the statement being made widely within the Seychelles.

These are just allegations currently but I understand they are supported by taped and documentary evidence, along with evidence from the Seychelles in the administration and media there. It is very important to establish any degree of truth in these allegations to save the honour and reputation of the Irish Army, which is and always has been very high in the peacekeeping field. I have never before known of allegations that Army officers were involved in the arms trade. If members are, whether it is legal or not, it is completely disgraceful. This is true whether the people involved are retired or currently serving. It is a very important matter because even if the allegations are untrue, it is vital they be addressed. Damage has been done and will undoubtedly continue to be done domestically and internationally if these rumours are allowed to persist without being clearly examined in detail, with a definitive answer given on these most disturbing questions.

Minister for Defence (Deputy Tony Killeen)

I thank Senator Norris for raising the matter and affording me the opportunity to outline the position in so far as I know it. The military authorities have advised that the position regarding members of the Permanent Defence Force engaging in off-duty employment is that membership of the Permanent Defence Force is a full-time professional occupation. This may, from time to time, involve long, arduous and unsocial hours of duty at the member's home station or elsewhere within or outside the State.

As members of the force must be available for duty at all times, off-duty time is dictated by operational requirements and may be irregular, changed or cancelled at short notice. Their service to the State as a member of the force takes precedence over off-duty employment and no employment should be undertaken which would prevent a member of the Permanent Defence Force being available for duty at all times. The Defence Forces do not exercise any authority on the nature of any employment entered into by former members.

The Defence Forces prides itself on the integrity and professionalism of personnel, and the reputation of the Defence Forces at home and overseas has been acknowledged by all to be exemplary in the manner in which business is conducted. The good name and reputation of our Defence Forces must be upheld and not be damaged by the actions of a small number of individuals. Any allegations of impropriety or wrongdoing by serving members of the Defence Forces are treated with the utmost seriousness by the military authorities. Where appropriate, the military authorities will commence investigations into any such alleged wrongdoing.

I am advised by military authorities that an investigation into the matters referred to regarding serving members has commenced and is ongoing. To afford due process and fair procedures to any persons who may be the subject of this investigation and to ensure the outcome of the investigation, or any follow-up action that may arise as a result of it, are not prejudiced in any way, the Senator will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further until the investigation has concluded.

Ireland established diplomatic relations with the Seychelles in 1999 through our respective missions to the UN in New York. The Seychelles, along with all countries in the region, is responding to the threat posed by the piracy emanating from the coast of Somalia. We should, however, be very careful not to participate in or add to any sensationalist commentary about the national security position in that country.

With regard to piracy, the European Union launched Operation ATALANTA in December 2008 to contribute to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast. The UN Security Council welcomed the launch of the operation to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia and to protect vulnerable ships bound for Somalia.

From the outset, Ireland has fully supported the objectives of Operation ATALANTA. Following approval by the Government, two Naval Service officers were deployed to the operational headquarters of Operation ATALANTA in Northwood in the UK on 12 June 2009. The officers filled appointments in force generation and civilian military cells. Five other officers are deployed in Uganda, engaged in capacity building of Somali justice and security personnel. Deployment to this operation is fully in accordance with Ireland's commitment to UN-mandated peace support operations.

Senator David Norris

I am grateful to the Minister for his reply but I would like to make a few points and he might comment on them. I accept that the Defence Forces do not exercise any authority on the nature of employment entered into by former members but the Garda might. I specifically mentioned this so I would like the Minister to take back a request for the Garda to investigate the matter.

The Minister said it would be inappropriate for him to comment further until the investigation has concluded. I am sure the Minister will accept that although I am in possession of the names of all five of the personnel involved, I scrupulously avoided putting them on the record as I agree justice must be seen to be done.

The Minister will also accept that with regard to his comments on sensationalist commentary regarding national security in the Seychelles, the matter was not breached by me. There was nothing sensationalist in what I said and I simply recorded what was in the Seychelles press. I refer to these as matters raised abroad.

I deplore Somali piracy. As the Minister has done, I pay tribute to the wonderful record of the Irish Army and no one could construe anything I said as in any way contradictory to that idea. Even in facing the problem of Somali pirates, domestic and international law must be observed. It is the responsibility of this House, among other agencies, to ensure those laws continue to be observed.