Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
132. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the nomination of Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces to the position of Chair of the European Union Military Committee; the implications of the Chief of Staff being successfully elected, including with regard to support staff; when the election is due to be held and the duration of the term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12080/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra133. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will report on the work of the European Union Military Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12081/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 133 together.
The European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is the highest military body within the EU. It is composed of the Chiefs of Defence (CHODs) of the EU's Member States who, on a day to day basis, are represented in Brussels by the Military Representatives from the Permanent Representations of the Member States to the EU.
The EUMC operates as a consensus based collective, with the Chair bringing together the views of Member States and representing these to the European External Action Service (EEAS), the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy/Vice President of the Commission (HRVP) and other relevant institutions, including the European Defence Agency (EDA). The EUMC provides the Political and Security Committee (PSC) with advice and recommendations on all military matters including on all aspects of the planning/operation of the CSDP operations. (The PSC comprises Ambassadors from all 27 member States, who deal with all issues relating to the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy.) It also provides advice on EU military capability requirements to undertake CSDP operations and on military capability development requirements within the framework of the European Defence Agency (EDA).
The current Chair of the EUMC (C/EUMC), Gen. Robert Brieger from Austria, will complete his period in office in May 2025, and the Government agreed to nominate Lt. General Clancy as Ireland’s candidate for the post, to be considered for election alongside candidates from other EU countries. This will be the second time that Ireland has nominated a Chair of the EUMC, following the previous unsuccessful nomination of Vice Admiral Mark Mellet, and demonstrates Ireland’s commitment to the EU at this important time, particularly in light of the more volatile security and defence environment resulting from Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. A number of candidates from neutral, non-aligned countries have held the Chair of this Committee over the years.
Should the Chief of Staff be successful in being elected as Chair of the EUMC, a number of Defence Forces personnel would be deployed as support staff in the Office of the C/EUMC in Brussels. The exact numbers and ranks involved have yet to be determined. In addition, Lt. General Clancy who is currently a three star general would be promoted on a temporary basis to a four star general for the three year period of the appointment.
The vote for next Chair of the EUMC will take place on the 15th May 2024. On the basis of that vote, the Chair is then appointed by the European Council and the newly elected Chair will take up formal appointment from May 2025.
