Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to the rising levels of piracy and armed robbery off the Horn of Africa and in the western Indian Ocean, the European Union launched its first maritime operation, EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, on 8 December 2008. The primary aims of the operation are to contribute to the protection of vessels of the World Food Programme delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia, in accordance with the mandate laid down in UN Security Council Resolution 1814 (2008); and to the protection of vulnerable vessels cruising off the Somali coast, and the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast, in accordance with the mandate laid down in UN Security Council Resolution 1816 (2008).

Two Naval Service officers were deployed to the operational headquarters of Operation ATALANTA at Northwood in the United Kingdom between June and November 2009. The Department of Defence has begun examining potential options in regard to a contribution by Ireland to the mission, in consultation with the military authorities. This examination is at a very early stage and no decision has been made.

To be blunt about it, I have asked my Department to consider this seriously. Many other European countries have made a contribution towards it. Ireland is a county that relies on trade. This is about protecting and maintaining trade routes in this part of the world. Ireland has the capacity to make a positive and real contribution to this effort. Of course, however, it needs to be fully costed to determine whether we can afford it; that is the issue at present. As soon as we make a decision on that, we will revert to the House because we would need its full approval before any definitive decision could be made.

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