James Lawless
Ceist:62. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the institute for peace support and leadership training. [36620/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 November 2020
Ceisteanna (62)
Freagraí scríofa
The 2015 White Paper on Defence included a commitment to evaluate the potential development of a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training at the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh. The current Programme for Government also includes a commitment to develop this Institute.
The primary objective of this initiative, should it prove feasible, is to create an internationally recognised institute in Ireland delivering a range of both strategic key leader and professional peace support and crisis management training in association with major international academic institutions to an international audience, building on Ireland’s academic and professional peacekeeping credentials.
A formal feasibility study in this regard has been underway since January 2018. An interim report was presented to the joint civil/military Steering Group established to oversee the project in November 2018. The Steering Group accepted the findings of the Phase 1 report on the basis that they merited a more in-depth analysis of the proposal.
The second phase of the feasibility study is examining the proposal with specific reference to potential academic linkages, staffing, governance, funding, infrastructure, and risks and constraints. A draft Phase 2 report has been submitted and is currently under consideration by the Steering Group.
The final report, once completed, will inform the next steps to be taken.