Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2009
10 Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Defence the role played by the Defence Force in the process that led to the release of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42249/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe concern felt by the nation at the news of the capture of Ms Sharon Commins and her colleague Hilda Kawuki by rebels in Sudan in July of this year was mirrored in equal amounts by the joy felt on their release in October. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, when considering the range of options open to him to bring this matter to a safe conclusion, requested the assistance of the Defence Forces. This assistance was sought as part of the broad range of assistance provided to him through his own Department at home and abroad, through the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and an Garda Siochána.
The role of the Defence Forces was to provide general advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs having regard to their operational experience gained from overseas missions. This necessitated a small number of officers travelling, in rotation, to Sudan to advise Department of Foreign Affairs diplomatic staff. The Air Corps provided pilots and ancillary staff for the Government jet. In addition medical personnel were dispatched to Sudan on Ms Commins' release for the purpose of accompanying her home.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs was at all times the lead Minister in this matter. It is not the practice of my Department to release detailed information on any specific military mission. I wish Ms Commins well in her future endeavours and I pay tribute to the exemplary performance of all those who served the State in this delicate matter.
I join with the Minister in recognising the role that the Minister for Foreign Affairs and all other organs of the State played in this matter. I understand, however, that members of the Defence Forces played a critical role in liaising with the European Union and the United Nations. Some had served with the UN in Ethiopia and the Sudan and were familiar with the local politics, personalities and physical terrain there. They were very effective in their liaison role. That should be recognised. The Minister can probably not say what they did but if people serve the country well it should be recognised.
The Defence Forces played a crucial role in this matter and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and his Department have communicated their appreciation of that. We are always available to assist in any way we can when called upon to do so.
I too wish to be associated with the tributes to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and all those elements of the State's service which played a role in the release of Ms Commins and her aid worker colleague. The role that the Defence Forces can play in such a situation is not generally appreciated. I am pleased to acknowledge that today and to compliment the Minister and the Defence Forces on the useful role they played in the happy outcome to this particularly dangerous event.
I welcome the opportunity to be associated with the remarks already made. Maybe we should ask the Minister to send the troops to Paris to get justice there.
I raised the issue of the two GOAL volunteers because I have had a long association with GOAL, particularly through my involvement in community games. I am delighted about what happened. I compliment the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I read an article in a Sunday newspaper which suggested the Army's Ranger Wing had been dispatched to deal with the issue. Will the Minister comment on this because that type of mischievous reporting does not help in such cases?
I wish the Minister continued success with his endeavour. I remain a big fan.
An article appeared in the Irish Mail on Sunday on 27 September 2009 stating members of the Army Ranger Wing were on the ground in Sudan as part of the Government’s efforts to free Ms Commins. On 25 September in response to queries received from a journalist on the previous day, 24 September, representing that newspaper, the journalist was advised specifically, unambiguously and categorically that no members of the Army Ranger Wing were on the ground in Sudan working on any ongoing efforts to free the kidnapped aid worker.
Despite this the newspaper printed an erroneous story on 27 September that there were Army rangers on the ground. Subsequently, when the matter was brought to the newspaper's attention, it issued a correction stating the original error arose due to a misunderstanding. I cannot understand how anyone, even the Irish Mail on Sunday, could misunderstand the simple word “No”.
