Micheál Martin
Ceist:246. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the discussions at the EU Council meeting on PESCO. [49076/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 22 November 2017
Ceisteanna (246)
Freagraí scríofa
I presume that the Deputy is referring to the FAC Defence Council which took place in Brussels on 13 November last, where Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers discussed over a working lunch, developments in the security and defence area, including PESCO.
As the Deputy is aware, PESCO is a mechanism provided for in the Treaty of the European Union to enable countries to come together and, on a project by project basis, jointly develop military crisis management capabilities for use in support of CSDP Operations. Under the treaties, PESCO is firmly set within the framework of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and CSDP. PESCO is seen as the primary initiative in demonstrating EU ambition in advancing the agenda on CSDP. In this regard, the establishment of PESCO is seen at EU level as a political demonstration of unity, inclusivity and continuing ambition to provide global leadership, in the face of Brexit and the increased security threats in the European Neighbourhood and beyond.
There has been significant engagement by all member States in the development of PESCO to ensure that it fully respects the differing security and defence policies of the member States as reflected in the treaties and the treaty protocols including in respect of the development of the ‘Notification’ to participate in PESCO. The ‘Notification’ document recites treaty and protocol provisions, recalls the EU commitment to multilateralism with the UN at its core with a view to increasing the commitment and contributions that Member States can make towards crisis management. It also sets out the criteria for participation. Once a country has agreed to join PESCO it can decide on the projects in which it participates on a case-by-case basis.
En marge of the Council meeting and prior to the working lunch, 23 Member States signed the PESCO Notification. The five that did not sign were; the UK due to Brexit, Denmark - which has an opt out on military CSDP matters, Portugal, which I understand intends to participate but has yet to complete its decision making process and Malta which has a very small and limited defence capacity and does not therefore intend to participate at this time. A further FAC Defence, is scheduled for 11 December in Brussels and at which it is expected that PESCO will be formally launched.
Accordingly, discussions on PESCO were forward looking on the follow-up to the expected launch of PESCO in December. Discussion centred on the EU’s comprehensive approach, encompassing foreign policy, trade, aid as well as security and addressed the need for PESCO projects to strengthen same and the requirement to also strengthen and reinforce civilian capabilities and crisis management tools. Regarding budgetary commitments, Ministers noted that commitments should not be seen nor presented as prejudging national parliaments' prerogatives in this area. Ministers also discussed the need for communication to the wider public.
To date Ireland has participated in all aspects of CSDP and has thus been able to influence the overall direction of CSDP, in particular ensuring ongoing support for the UN and multilateralism. Given this and the priority being given to the security and defence agenda by our partners in Europe, it will be important for Ireland to participate in PESCO so as to maintain a central influence on the development of CSDP, but also in terms of ensuring access to the latest developments on military capabilities for our Defence Forces on crisis management operations.
Participation by Ireland in PESCO will be subject to the approval of the Government and Dáil Éireann in accordance with the provisions of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2009. I am pleased to advise that the Government has approved Ireland’s participation in PESCO and Dáil approval will now be sought. I am satisfied that participation will contribute to both Ireland's and the EU's enhancement of capabilities for United Nations mandated missions engaged in peace keeping, conflict prevention or the strengthening of international security in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.