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Defence Forces Deployment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019

Thursday, 17 January 2019

Ceisteanna (20, 25, 32)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

20. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the proposed plans to send the Army Ranger Wing to Mali on peacekeeping duties; the reason for this possible deployment; if their deployment has come at the request of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2007/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Clare Daly

Ceist:

25. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the role envisaged for the Army Ranger Wing in Mali; and the person or body that suggested that the Rangers should be deployed in Mali. [1961/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Clare Daly

Ceist:

32. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if it is planned that the Army Ranger Wing will be empowered to use force if deployed to Mali. [1962/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 25 and 32 together.

Ireland has participated in the EU Training Mission in Mali since the mission was launched in 2013. Currently, Ireland is contributing twenty (20) Defence Force personnel to this mission. EUTM Mali is part of a wider EU effort in support of international peace and security in the wider Sahel region. The mission is being undertaken at the request of the Malian Government and has the support of a UN Security Council Resolution.

I was delighted to have an opportunity to visit the region recently with the Taoiseach and to meet with Irish troops deployed on the EUTM mission.

As Deputies will appreciate, potential overseas missions are considered on an ongoing basis. Ireland currently has no Defence Forces personnel deployed to the UN mandated MINUSMA mission. However, the option to deploy a small contingent of Army Ranger Wing personnel within a larger German contingent, currently serving with the MINUSMA mission, will open up later this year. A potential deployment in this regard is currently being considered.

I should point out that we are currently in the very early information gathering stage in considering this mission. This involves getting detailed information on the mission and its operations, consideration of the possible role which the Defence Forces may be able to undertake in the mission, how such a deployment fits with Defence Forces capabilities having regard to existing and potential commitments at home and overseas and a detailed threat analysis and assessment. This process has only just commenced and will take a period of time to reach a conclusion. On foot of the respective military and policy advice arising from this process, I will then consider the matter. I should emphasise that no decision has been taken yet and there is some way to go in the process before we reach that point.

The MINUSMA mission is authorised under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. In that regard, the use of lethal force is authorised in accordance with the terms of the missions Rules of Engagement. The Rules of Engagement for MINUSMA is one of the issues which will also be examined as part of the analysis and consideration of deployment to the mission. I should point out the Defence Forces deployed to a wide range of missions, including UNIFIL and UNDOF, are authorised to use lethal force in accordance with the Rules of Engagement of those missions.

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