Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2023
339. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide details of the proposed duties of members of the Defence Forces who will participate in the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10837/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra340. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the units of the Ukrainian armed forces that will be trained by members of the Defence Forces as part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10838/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra341. Deputy John Brady asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if members of the Defence Forces will be involved in any other activities other than training Ukrainian forces in demining as part of the European Union Military Assistance Mission in Support of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10839/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 339 to 341, inclusive, together.
As you are aware, on 21 February the Government approved the participation of up to 30 Defence Forces’ personnel in the newly established European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). The primary role of the Defence Forces will be to provide training to members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) in one or more EU Member States in which the training will take place.
These trainers will be supplemented by a small number of staff positions based in the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) staff based in Brussels, Belgium and in the multi-national Special Training Command (STC) in Strausberg, Germany.
In respect of training, Ireland’s Defence Forces has significant expertise in a number of areas where we believe we can bring some added-value to the mission, including in areas such as C-IED training (Counter Improvised Explosive Devices), EOD training (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Medical Combat and Engineering.
Given that the DF have capacity to provide training in a relatively limited number of areas, it will be necessary to match that capacity with the identified training needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). Until such time as this is done, it is difficult to anticipate exactly when and in what areas the DF will commence the delivery of such training. However, it is hoped that the delivery of training can commence relatively soon.
Depending on the matching of the DF's limited training capacity with the identified training needs of the UAF, it is expected that small training teams will be deployed for short periods, not normally for more than a few weeks at a time.
