Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Some terrible atrocities have been committed in the Central African Republic and the news last night and the newspapers this morning reported on a dreadful event in which an individual had been lynched and killed by official army forces.

On the specific issues raised by the Deputy, the European Council, in its conclusions of 20 December 2013, expressed its concern at the continuously deteriorating crisis in the Central African Republic and its severe humanitarian and human rights consequences. It welcomed the French military intervention in support of the African forces to help to restore security. It also confirmed the European Union's willingness to consider how it might contribute towards the efforts under way to stabilise the country, including under the Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP.

On 20 January 2014 the Council approved a crisis management concept for a military bridging operation in the Central African Republic to help to stabilise the situation. The mission will operate under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2134 which was adopted on 28 January. The Council stressed the importance of close co-operation between the mission and partners, notably the United Nations, the African Union and the central African authorities, as well as with the supporting French operation in the Central African Republic. The operation will provide support for a period of up to six months to help to achieve a secure environment in the Bangui region, with a view to handing over to the African Union force once this force has reached full operational capacity. The force will protect civilians and create conditions for the distribution of humanitarian aid.

Ireland is fully supportive of EU actions in the Central African Republic. While Ireland, owing to current ongoing overseas commitments, including our engagement in 14 UN related missions across the globe, will not be contributing personnel to the mission, we will contribute to the common costs of the mission. Our contribution will amount to approximately €271,000.

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