Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019
22. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on whether Irish involvement in PESCO and a change of direction of the Defence Forces will undermine the training work being carried out by Irish troops as highlighted and praised by the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence on his recent visit to Mali. [1856/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly I would like to add my praise and thanks to those expressed by an Taoiseach during our recent visit to Mali. Irish Defence Forces personnel participating in the EU training mission there are making an important and valuable contribution to both regional and international peace and security through their efforts on the mission. It is with great pride and respect that I acknowledge the ongoing work of all our Defence Forces personnel serving overseas.
Let me be clear, Ireland's participation in PESCO does not represent a change of direction of the Defence Forces. The establishment of PESCO represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), while national decision-making maintains precedence in terms of defence and security matters.
Our Defence Forces and the wider Defence Organisation continue, and will continue, to make an invaluable contribution to international peace and security, and conflict resolution. This is achieved through their ongoing and professional engagement with the EU, the UN, NATO, the OSCE and other international engagements within a bilateral context.
Within the EU, it is accepted that defence and security is a national competence and that any decisions, including any deepening of EU cooperation, require unanimity. Fully participating in developments at EU level ensures that Ireland continues to have a voice and to influence the evolution of EU defence and security policy.
The participation criteria for PESCO expressly stipulate that PESCO will be undertaken in full compliance with the Treaty on European Union and the associated protocols and will respect the Member States constitutional provisions. It is also important to note that participation in each project is on an “opt in” basis and is therefore entirely voluntary.
Ireland strongly supports the role of the European Union in peacekeeping and crisis management operations and initiatives which enhance deployability and deployment on operations are essential to this. Under PESCO, Member States will come together in different groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations.
PESCO will also enable our Defence Forces to further develop their capabilities in support of peacekeeping through participation in joint projects with like-minded partners. Joint projects should also drive down the costs of developing and procuring capabilities.
Through participation in all aspects of CSDP, including PESCO, Ireland has been able to influence the overall direction of CSDP, in particular ensuring recognition by the EU of the UN as its key strategic partner and ongoing support for the UN and multilateralism. Participation in PESCO will continue to be important in fostering that influence.
