Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 November 2023
34. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 125 of 3 October 2023, for an update on Ireland's involvement in the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine; the number of Defence Forces personnel deployed to the mission to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50122/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 21 February 2023, the Government approved the participation of Defence Forces personnel in the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) in such areas as:
• C-IED training (Counter Improvised Explosive Devices)
• EOD training (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
• Combat Medical Training
• Engineering Training.
On 25 July, the Government approved the Defence Forces' enhanced engagement in the mission and agreed an extended list of training modules for delivery by the DF which includes
• basic military training
• Do-King Mine Flail Training (training on machinery which is used to clear mines)
• leadership training and
• drill instructor training.
In line with the Government's approval, the number of DF personnel that may be deployed to the training mission at any given time is limited to 30. This number includes the trainers that are delivering training directly to the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) as well as the Defence Forces’ personnel deployed in the mission’s Operational Headquarters in Brussels and the multi-national Special Training Command (STC) in Strausberg, Germany.
There is currently one member of the Defence Forces deployed in the mission’s Operational Headquarters in Brussels and three personnel in the multi-national Special Training Command (STC) in Strausberg, Germany.
Together with partner nations, the Defence Forces have delivered a number of training modules to members of the UAF in:
• Demining & Clearance (in Cyprus), with six personnel deployed from 16 April to 12 May;
• Tactical Combat Casualty Care /Combat Life Saver (in Germany), with six personnel deployed from 18 June to 2 July;
• a second iteration of the Tactical Combat Casualty Care /Combat Life Saver (in Germany), with six personnel deployed from 18 Sept to 3 October;
• a module of Drill Instructor Training (in Germany), with twelve personnel deployed from 17 September to 1 November;
• an ongoing second iteration of Demining & Clearance (in Cyprus), with eight personnel deployed; and
• and an ongoing second module of Drill Instructor training (in Germany), with twelve personnel deployed.
The Defence Forces have a draft programme of training to be provided up to March 2024 which is subject to regular updating, depending on a number of factors including the capacity of the Defence Forces. Given that Basic Military Training is currently suspended, at the request of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Defence Forces will not be involved in its delivery before 2024.
