Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
779. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason that Ireland is participating in a European Union training mission for the Ukrainian military; the issues that were taken into consideration prior to the decision to participate in this mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44262/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTogether with our EU partners, Ireland has been clear in our condemnation of Russia’s unprovoked, illegal and immoral war against Ukraine. The EU stands firmly with Ukraine and has repeatedly underlined that it will continue to provide strong support to the country and its people.
In this context, EU Member States agreed last month at informal meetings of EU Foreign and Defence Ministers in Prague to launch work to define the parameters for an EU CSDP mission to provide military training to Ukraine. Ireland is supportive of this mission and will participate in discussions, along with other Member States, to further develop the proposal. Ireland is open to involvement in the training mission and a decision will be taken once the proposal is fully developed.
Ireland has been a consistent supporter of the EU’s Common, Security and Defence Policy and is an active participant in the EU’s civilian and military CSDP missions and operations. We are currently participating in three of the seven military CSDP missions and eight out of the eleven civilian missions. It remains a matter for each Member State to decide whether or not to participate in any given military or civilian CSDP mission or operation.
