John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the members of the Defence Forces for the phenomenal work they have done over very many decades in overseas missions. They have catapulted Ireland right to the top of the international stage in terms of our standing as honest brokers. A lot of that stems from our neutrality and how we are perceived internationally so I commend all of the members of the Defence Forces.

Like Deputy Clarke, I commend Brigadier General Maureen O'Brien on her phenomenal achievement. She is the first female to hold her new rank and be a senior member of an overseas mission.

I have a number of concerns about Mali, in particular the 20 Irish Defence Forces personnel on the EU training mission to Mali, which was a decision taken without Dáil approval. The Defence Forces (Amendment) Act 2016 is quite clear about when Dáil approval is required in terms of the triple lock mechanism. The provision lays out clearly the number of personnel and how once the number exceeds 12 personnel the scheme must go through that process. I have serious concerns about this matter and the fact that the mission involved members of the Defence Forces providing training to the Malian army. I do not know how that can be perceived as a one-sided involvement in the current conflict situation. To my mind, that training goes beyond our traditional peacekeeping role. I would like to hear some views on the matter.

Can the Minister detail the role of the Irish troops involved in the training of military forces in Mali? Last year, soldiers who had been trained as part of this mission staged a coup in Mali. I tabled a number of questions and the Minister has confirmed that no Irish troops had been involved in the training of those soldiers. What EU forces were involved in the direct training of the Mali forces who went on to stage a coup? Does the involvement of troops in Mali, in the EU's military force, not undermine Ireland's standing as a neutral country? I think it does and the reputation that the members of our Defence Forces have built up over many years as honest brokers in areas of conflict. Does this training not undermine our position as a neutral country? I am concerned about our standing in the international community, which is a just recognition that we have.