Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move:

That Dáil Éireann approves the report by the Minister for Defence regarding service by the Defence Forces with the United Nations in 2023, a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 3rd May, 2024, in accordance with section 13 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 2006.

I welcome this opportunity to report to the Dáil on Irish Defence Forces participation in United Nations missions in 2023. The presentation of this UN report gives this House the opportunity to express our appreciation for the role which the Defence Forces play throughout the world in the preservation of peace.

I will also move the motion seeking approval for Ireland’s participation in four capability development projects, two within Permanent Structured Co-operation, PESCO, and two within the framework of the European Defence Agency later. I will first speak to the report and then to the projects.

The report on Irish Defence Forces participation in United Nations missions in 2023 was laid before Dail Eireann on 3 May 2024. This report documents the participation of Defence Force personnel in UN-led or UN-authorised missions, which include the EU-led mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Operation Althea, and the NATO-led international security presence in Kosovo, KFOR.

The year under review, 2023, saw an increased focus on the important work of Irish peacekeepers operating in a tense, unpredictable and dynamic environment of the Middle East. This escalated in the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, and the war which has followed, and there has been an increased focus on the crucial work carried out by our peacekeepers.

Notwithstanding the many challenges, Irish troops serving overseas continued to make a significant contribution to international peacekeeping throughout 2023, and indeed to date in 2024. When I visited our UNIFIL troops in May of this year, I saw for myself some of the dangers under which they operate while carrying out their mission. I felt it was important to show Government and the Irish people’s support and appreciation for the role our troops carry out in south Lebanon. Irish troops were first deployed on UN peacekeeping operations in 1958 and since then, have had a continuous record of participation in UN peace support operations. This is a unique record and one of which this country is rightly proud.

Participation by our Defence Forces in overseas peacekeeping missions has helped save countless lives and brought peace and stability to many countries over the decades. It is an essential component of Ireland’s foreign policy, driven by the very values and principles that have guided the actions of our State on the international stage since independence.

Ireland’s main commitments during 2023 were to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL, and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, UNDOF, on the Golan Heights. As of 5 June 2024, there are some 430 Defence Forces personnel serving overseas in eight different missions around the world. The main mission in which personnel are currently deployed is UNIFIL. We also have other postings in the Middle East and the Balkans.

In this unstable global geopolitical climate, particularly in the Middle East, the health and safety of these personnel remains of paramount concern for both myself and for the Government. I remain deeply concerned by rising tensions in that area. The potential for further regional escalation remains high, and a widening of this conflict would have devastating consequences for all in the region, most particularly those living in proximity to the Blue Line. It is vital that all parties work to de-escalate the situation, and we are doing all we can to influence parties in that regard.

In terms of the safety of our personnel, I remain in regular and ongoing contact with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces on this matter. Both he and my Department are kept regularly apprised of all developments in those areas in which Defence Forces personnel are deployed. In terms of protecting our troops on the ground, ongoing threat assessments are carried out in mission areas and we continually review both personal equipment and force assets to ensure Defence Forces personnel are appropriately equipped to fulfil their roles and stay safe.

It is important also to note that Defence Forces’ peacekeepers are well trained prior to deployment, including anticipating events such as occasions of sporadic fire in their area of operations. This includes the circumstances in which they find themselves currently, which may require taking shelter in protected positions. In light of this, I again commend all our Defence Forces men and women for their commitment and dedication to overseas service, without which, Ireland’s strong tradition of peacekeeping under the auspices of the United Nations would not be possible.

Peacekeeping is not without risks however. A total of 88 Defence Forces personnel have lost their lives while on peacekeeping duty overseas in various missions.

Forty-eight have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the cause of peace in Lebanon. As outlined in the annual report, a priority for the Government in 2023 was continuing to establish all the facts and circumstances relating to the attack that resulted in the horrific killing of Private Seán Rooney on 14 December 2022. I have consistently expressed my determination that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. Last year, an initial indictment hearing of persons charged in connection with the incident took place on 14 July, with further hearings taking place on 30 August and 15 December 2023. The most recent hearing was on 7 June 2024. I was very disappointed to learn that, once again, none of those indicted for the killing of Private Seán Rooney appeared in court at this hearing.

A central focus of my most recent visit to Lebanon in May this year was my meeting with the Lebanese foreign Minister and the legal representative of the Lebanese Minister of Defense. I left the Lebanese Minister and officials in no doubt with regard to the absolute determination of the Irish Government in ensuring that those responsible for Private Rooney’s death are brought to justice and that the lives of Irish peacekeepers must be valued. I also emphasised the need to speed up the legal proceedings and the additional distress that the lack of progress is causing Private Rooney's family and loved ones. Following the most recent hearings, I have again stressed my deep unhappiness with the progress of the trial to date and I have made that very clear directly to both the Lebanese authorities and the United Nations. I will continue to press them on this matter to ensure justice is done for Private Rooney and his family and colleagues.

The UNDOF mission in the Golan Heights was Ireland’s second largest overseas deployment in 2023. A contingent of the Permanent Defence Force was deployed in UNDOF since 2013, and as of 31 December 2023, a total of 134 Defence Forces personnel were serving with the mission. Following a joint assessment by the Department and the Defence Forces of commitments to overseas missions, and on the basis of military advice, the decision was taken in 2023 to withdraw the infantry group from the mission with effect from April 2024. I pay tribute to the Defence Forces’ remarkable

peacekeeping record with the mission since they were first deployed. Over the period of their deployment, our peacekeepers played an important part in improving the lives of citizens on the ground in the Golan Heights.

As I said yesterday at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, we must never forget that participation in all these peace support, crisis management, training and monitoring missions comes at a huge personal cost to individuals and to their families and friends. I know everyone in this House is united in our gratitude for that service.

As time is very tight - a bit too tight - I will now speak on the second motion, that of seeking Dáil approval to participate in two PESCO and two European Defence Agency projects. I will also briefly outline Ireland’s engagement to date in PESCO and the European Defence Agency. Yesterday, we discussed these projects at length in the select committee and the committee seemed to be positive and supportive of our engagement in these projects. The committee fully understands the benefit these projects will bring to the Defence Forces and indeed Ireland.

PESCO is a framework under which groups of member states of the European Union come together to plan, develop and invest in shared capability projects and enhance the operational readiness and development of their respective armed forces. It is entirely voluntary and of the EU member states, all but Malta take part in projects under this framework. Its objective is to enable co-operation among member states that will deliver capabilities for national and international missions and operations. These are capabilities that assist us in developing our Defence Forces and ensuring their interoperability to take part, with other countries, in international peacekeeping operations. Ireland's participation in PESCO was agreed by the then Government and Dáil Éireann in 2017 and the country's participation in PESCO projects will be maintained on an opt-in basis, with contributions being entirely voluntary. We currently participate in four PESCO projects, which is at the lower level of engagement compared to other EU countries.

Moving quickly to the European Defence Agency, the EDA was established by a joint action of the Council of the European Union 20 years ago. It supports its 27 member states in improving their defence capabilities through European co-operation. Member states can decide on a case-by-case basis whether to participate in projects, depending on their needs and interests. The core of what the EDA does is to offer a level of expertise and opportunities that cover the whole spectrum of defence co-operation. In July 2004, the Government approved Ireland’s participation in the framework of the European Defence Agency and we have participated in a number of EDA projects over the years, spanning a range of capability development areas.

Today, I seek the approval of Dáil Éireann for Ireland to participate in the PESCO projects relating to logistics and critical seabed infrastructure protection and EDA projects relating to environmental management and cybersecurity. The first project is the PESCO project network of logistic hubs in Europe and support to operations. The main aim of the project is to support and improve strategic logistics support and force protection in European Union missions and operations. It can provide many benefits to the Defence Forces in both the short and long term. Participation will have clear benefits with respect to Ireland's participation in the European Union battle group 2025 in terms of assisting with the deployment, storage and efficient transport of Defence Forces assets as part the battle group training and exercise process. In very straightforward terms, the Defence Forces will need to bring kit and equipment to the Continent as part of our participation in the battle group, and membership of this project will allow them to make use of existing transport, storage and logistics facilities established by other European Union member states. Membership will provide us with access to a logistics hub where our vehicles and equipment can be safely stored and easily accessed to use during the battle group exercises in 2024 and 2025. We are currently an observer in this PESCO project but observers cannot benefit from the project, hence the move to seek full membership.

Second, there are potentially longer term benefits to Ireland's participation. The geopolitical situation in Europe and its hinterland is changing at a rapid and uncertain pace. Participating in this project will also give Ireland options when deploying and withdrawing from missions overseas. If troops need to be withdrawn from a location quickly and there is an European Union logistics hub close to the mission, it could provide valuable support to the Defence Forces. There are 27 European Union hubs available to the members of this project. Participation will also enhance the Defence Forces' capability and knowledge in major logistical deployment, sustainment and withdrawal from operations. The only costs associated with this project are in respect of Defence Forces personnel attendance at meetings and workshops.

The second PESCO project relates to critical seabed infrastructure protection, CSIP. This is an opportunity for Ireland to build capability to address identified risks and areas of vulnerability. I have made it clear previously that this is a project in which we should be engaging. As an island nation, we have to tap into any and every opportunity available to build capabilities in the protection of critical infrastructure. This project aims to enhance co-operation among EU member states in monitoring, securing and defending critical seabed infrastructure against various threats, including sabotage, terrorism and espionage. It involves developing capabilities for surveillance, reconnaissance and response in maritime environments, as well as fostering information sharing and co-ordination among participating member states. Damage to undersea infrastructure has been identified as a key national risk in the latest national risk assessment for Ireland, and this project will facilitate strengthening capabilities with regard to protecting critical undersea infrastructure, thereby increasing our security and resilience.

The EDA offers several forms of support to PESCO projects, including the use of EDA’s project management tools and administrative support. This PESCO project will seek support from the EDA in this regard. That will be captured under a separate EDA project and is provided by the agency at no additional cost to members. Participating member states will also formally sign an agreement with the EDA in this regard. Therefore, as well as the PESCO project, I am also seeking Dáil approval to join the associated EDA project. Like the logistics hubs project, the only costs associated with the project are in relation to attendance at meetings and workshops, all of which can be met from existing resources.

The third project I seek Dáil approval to join is the European Defence Agency defence energy managers’ course II. This is a training project to improve knowledge of energy management in the military, resulting in benefits in terms of energy consumption, cost and CO2 emission reductions across the military estate. Its key objectives are to educate participants and to have those participants then disseminate that knowledge throughout their organisation. It will provide tailored training on energy management systems and will include on-site visits to ensure each member state's requirements are taken into account. The Defence Forces currently operates 17 full-time operational military installations, including Army barracks, a naval base, an aerodrome and training camps. This project presents a significant opportunity to enhance the Defence Forces’ energy management efforts in all of these locations. It is for a duration of five years. There are once-off costs of €1,500 to join this project and each training place on the course costs €5,000.

The final project I intend to seek Dáil approval to join is the EDA cyber defence exercises project. We need to enhance cyber defence as a country but it is not something we can on our own. We need to collaborate with partners. We live in a digital world of unparalleled connectivity where borders are irrelevant. This project provides the opportunity to do that. It allows our Defence Forces experts to gain insight into cyber threats experienced by other member states and, importantly, learn from these in an effort to mitigate any national attack. This project is an umbrella project, the lead project on cyber training within the European Defence Agency. It will plan, co-ordinate and execute future cyber defence exercises and each cyber defence exercise developed under this project will be established as a sub-project. I am seeking approval to join the umbrella project and any relevant exercises that are developed. Each exercise and training opportunity will be analysed and assessed against the Defence Forces capability requirements.

Depending on the scope of certain exercises, the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communication, and the National Cyber Security Centre may have the opportunity for cross-governmental learning.

All EDA participating member states have indicated their interest in joining this project. There is no cost to joining this project. Minimal costs will arise for attendance at meetings and workshops.

These projects cover a wide range of capabilities, many of which will also benefit our national requirements, and will benefit the national mitigation of threats. In particular, threats with regard to cyber and undersea infrastructure are high on the Government’s priorities, as are environmental concerns.

See this speech in context