Brendan Smith
Ceist:6. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence his views on the use of unmanned drones in military operations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1482/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 6 February 2014
Ceisteanna (6, 25)
Micheál Martin
Ceist:25. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Defence his views regarding the recent decision made at the European Council in relation to drones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4836/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí ó Béal (4 píosaí cainte)
As a country we should clearly outline our total opposition to the use in combat of unmanned drones, also known as unmanned combat aerial vehicles or UCAVs. The EU must take steps, through the UN, to bring a halt to unlawful UCAV attacks. It should promote the agreement of an international treaty on UCAVs and the extension of the scope of the arms trade treaty to include UCAVs. The UN debate in October marked the first time member nations came together to discuss the rapidly expanding militarised use of remotely piloted aircraft and the fraught international legal issues it raises. Has the Minister discussed with his EU colleagues the discussions that took place at the UN in October?
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 25 together.
The Defence Forces operate a system of unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, as an information-gathering asset. They provide a low-cost and low-risk means of increasing surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities. They also provide a forward observation and surveillance capacity of potential threats for deployed units on overseas peace support operations, thereby enhancing force protection. As the UAVs acquired by the Defence Forces are at the low end of the UAV spectrum, there are no weapon issues associated with them. The initial deployment by the Defence Forces of UAVs was with the EU-led mission to Chad and the Central African Republic, which commenced in February 2008 when the Deputy's party was in government. The deployment of Defence Forces UAVs with the UN follow-on mission, MINURCAT, continued until the withdrawal of the Irish battalion in April 2010.
The European Council meeting in December 2013 underlined the need to intensify EU-level co-operation on the development of remotely piloted aircraft systems. In this regard, the Council has asked the European Commission to establish a regulatory framework for the initial integration of remotely piloted aircraft systems into the European aviation system by 2016. The Council remains committed to delivering key capabilities and addressing critical shortfalls through concrete projects by member states, supported by the European Defence Agency. This support includes appropriate research and development activities for the integration of remotely piloted aircraft systems, which we refer to as UAVs, into European airspace as soon as possible. It also supports close synergies between the relevant bodies and agencies and member states engaged in the development of technologies needed in this capability area.
Remotely piloted aircraft systems have a wide range of civilian and military applications, particularly in the area of surveillance over land and sea. They have the ability to perform tasks that manned systems cannot perform for safety or economic reasons. Remotely piloted aircraft can efficiently complement existing manned aircraft or satellite infrastructure used in areas like environmental protection, maritime surveillance, natural disasters, crisis management and border control. While Ireland is not actively involved in this project, it endorses the work being carried out by the European Commission and the European Defence Agency.
I thank the Minister for his reply. When I said we should be opposed to the use of drones, I was of course referring to their use in combat rather than their use in surveillance work. Does the Minister recall whether the comments of the UN special rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism were discussed at EU level? The rapporteur, Mr. Emmerson, is engaged in an ongoing investigation into lethal extra-territorial counter-terrorism operations. He has concluded that 33 drone strikes which are known to have caused civilian casualties may have been carried out in violation of international law. Mr. Emmerson has told the UN that the "single greatest obstacle to an evaluation of the civilian impact of drone strikes is lack of transparency, which makes it extremely difficult to assess claims of precision targeting objectively". He has also urged UN delegates to consider whether an absolute ban is needed on secret deals cooked up between states for engagement in joint military actions. Perhaps the Minister will elaborate on the discussions that have taken place at EU level. Is it proposed to discuss the legality of this activity, and the possible violation of international law, at the next EU Council meeting?
The substantial discussions I have engaged in with my ministerial colleagues regarding the use of drones have focused particularly on the areas I mentioned in my reply. Drones can undertake a range of useful functions in areas like maritime surveillance and troop protection. I am not aware of any conspiracy like that referred to by the Deputy. I reiterate that this State does not have any drones with armed capability. I recall a well-known and respected radio broadcaster being outraged one day when he heard, based on a misunderstanding, that we had drones. It was very helpful to have drones in Chad because they facilitated forward surveillance to provide troop protection. They were the circumstances in which the drones were used. Of course it is important that civilians do not lose their lives as a result of the inappropriate use of armed drones by any nation. Ireland is not engaged in such activity. Indeed, I am not aware of any such activity that happens on an EU-led basis. As far as I am aware, there is no EU mission at present in which drones are deployed in this manner on an EU or UN basis to target anybody.