Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 July 2013
9. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Defence if he will expand on his recent statement that the experience from the Mali mission would suggest that, while individual member states could respond rapidly, the decision-making process within the EU has been found wanting. [35726/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality and Defence addressed a seminar in May 2013 on the European Council on Defence meeting scheduled to take place in December. During his address, the Minister referred to events that had taken place in Mali. In the context of discussions that have taken place in respect of the forthcoming European Council on Defence meeting, the Minister said that a number of common themes have emerged. One of these included the need for the EU to significantly improve decision-making cycles so that the EU is in a position to respond where and when required and he went on to say that "the experience from the Mali mission would suggest that, while individual member states could respond rapidly, the decision making process within the EU had been found wanting".
The situation in Mali had been deteriorating since an attempted coup in March 2012 and the secession of much of the north of the country, which had become a safe haven for terrorists and criminals. The EU had been considering the potential for a CSDP mission to Mali to support capacity building of the Malian armed forces since then. However, a rapid deterioration in the security situation and a request from the Malian Government for assistance in January 2013 resulted in France deploying a military operation in Mali, Operation SERVAL, to help the Malian government to restore its territorial integrity.
What occurred in respect of Mali highlights the capacity of a member state, in this case France, with co-operation from a small number of other member states, to react and act with speed. It also highlights one of the difficulties in the European Union in the context of the existing structures and the willingness of member states to act and make speedy decisions. While the EU was discussing and moving to a decision on the EU training mission in Mali, if France had not intervened, the Malian state might not have survived and there would not have been a role for any EU training mission. That is something we need to address.
The European Union is currently reviewing its crisis management procedures with a view to streamlining them, reducing delays in launching missions and operations, and improving its decision-making processes.
This question was tabled for two reasons. The principal reason is because there seems to be a difference between what is being said by the Minister for Defence and what is being said by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The Minister of State has effectively said that the EU has been found wanting in terms of its decision-making process around Mali. I know many Members of this House have very serious reservations about our participation there. During a recent Question Time with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister of State at the Department told Deputy Smith that the EU had implemented a comprehensive approach to the situation encompassing diplomatic support, development and humanitarian assistance, as well as support in the areas of security and peacekeeping. Clearly, the two Departments have very different approaches and perspectives on this issue. The Minister for Justice and Equality said that there must be increased potential for specialisation in delivering niche capabilities to be called on when the need arises. I wonder what are the niche capabilities that we might be able to undertake and whether the Minister has taken the Minister of State into his confidence. Could the Minister of State tell the House what are the niche capabilities?
The Dáil today took a very deliberate and major decision, as part of the triple lock process, to despatch troops to Syria. Given that this decision has been taken, can we take it that there is no prospect of large numbers of Irish troops being despatched to Mali at any stage in the near future?
I will get back to the Deputy. The EU training mission to Mali is a common security and defence policy mission focused on providing military training and advice to the Malian armed forces to improve their military capacity and effectiveness in guaranteeing the country's territorial integrity. Training is also being provided in international humanitarian law, the protection of civilians and human rights. The headquarters of the mission is in the Malian capital of Bamako where training is taking place in a dedicated training camp. A total of 22 member states are contributing over 500 troops. Personnel deployed to the mission are not involved in combat operations.
The EU's crisis management procedures date from 2003. The EU's Political and Security Committee exercises political control and strategic direction of all crisis management operations. The current crisis management procedures outline the steps to be followed in each of the phases as follows: to monitor and analyse the situation and advance planning; develop a crisis management concept; approve the crisis management concept; develop military and civilian strategic options; formally decide to take options developing planning documents, concept of operations and operational plan; implement the operational plan; review any action; and decide whether to refocus EU action or terminate the operation. This has been a successful mission for the Irish Defence Forces. I am not aware of what the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said here during Question Time recently.
When the French moved into Mali in January, their commander, Brigadier General François Lecointre, who has since become the commander of the EU mission, said at the time that it was a matter of weeks, not months.
Yesterday in Brussels, he stated he believed the mission should be expanded and should continue for at least a year longer than planned. We know the French moved in and decided to restore the previous Government, which had been thrown out by the rebels and which came to power through a military coup. It did not have much to do with democracy on the part of the French. They are certainly very keen to enhance their financial interest in what is a crucial area for them. We are now throwing in a few troops on a training mission. I fear it might end in tears. I am not sure it is a good idea for us to be out there.
On 26 February 2013, the Government approved the deployment of approximately eight members of the Permanent Defence Force to Mali. The Irish contribution to the mission comprises three officers and five non-commissioned officers, with one officer deployed to the mission headquarters in Bamako and another two to the training camp headquarters. The remaining six personnel are deployed in Koulikoro and form part of the joint infantry training team with the UK armed forces.
I am not aware of any comments made yesterday in Brussels, but I have no doubt they will come to the attention of the Department. The extension of time will be for the consideration of the Minister of the day.
Did the Minister of State indicate there are more than 12 personnel in Mali? He seemed to suggest-----
The responsibilities the Minister of State read out are those of the-----
There are three officers and five non-commissioned officers, with one officer deployed to mission headquarters.
Beyond 12 we need the triple lock arrangement.
I will get back to the Deputy with the exact figure.
The reply reads as though there are more than 12.
I am not sure. I will have to get back to the Deputy with the exact arrangement.
It will be important to clarify it to say the least, as we may need to reconvene the Dáil.
