Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I repeat what I said in my response: "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2071 (2012) calls on the European Union to provide assistance, expertise, training and capacity building support for the armed and security forces of Mali in order to restore the authority of the state of Mali over its entire national territory." Ireland is participating on the basis of a United Nations Security Council resolution. The reason for our presence in Mali is to support the United Nations. The Deputy is correct that violations of human rights have been clearly identified. The Irish troops are training Malian army personnel in dealing with issues related to human rights violations. The United Nations is extremely concerned about any violation of human rights and there is no doubt the Malian army has violated human rights. The protection of human rights is a priority for Ireland, the European Union and the United Nations. There are also serious abuses of human rights by others in Mali on the other side of the conflict. Our job is to ensure such abuses end.

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