Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 8: To ask the Minister for Defence the headline goal for Ireland in terms of EU defence capability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24275/04]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 10: To ask the Minister for Defence if Ireland will contribute forces to the newly agreed 1,500 strong rapidly deployable battlegroups, to be operational by 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24282/04]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 10 together.

A significant achievement of the Irish Presidency in the development of the European Security and Defence Policy was the agreement of a new headline goal with a horizon of 2010, as approved by the European Council in June 2004. Reflecting the European security strategy, which was presented to the European Council in December 2003 by the Secretary General-High Representative Solana, member states have decided to commit themselves to respond to a crisis with rapid and decisive action, applying a fully coherent approach to the whole spectrum of crisis management operations. This includes humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping tasks and tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peacemaking. Member states have also recognised that interoperability, deployability and sustainability of forces must be at the core of their efforts and will be the driving factors of this 2010 goal.

The 2010 headline goal also incorporated the development of the EU's rapid response capability. A key element of the headline goal is the ability of the EU to deploy force packages at high readiness, commonly known as battlegroups, in response to a crisis as a stand-alone force or as part of a larger operation enabling follow-on phases. An example of the contribution an effective battlegroup could make in restoring peace to a region suffering from conflict is the Finnish-Irish peacekeeping battalion deployed with the United Nations force in Kosovo, KFOR, which has been the subject of recent favourable comment arising from its reaction to an outbreak of hostilities in its area of operations last March.

Member states have been asked to provide initial indications of commitments to such force packages, with a view to an initial operational capability in 2005 at a capability commitment conference to be held in November under the Dutch Presidency. The question of Ireland's participation in such force packages is under examination in my Department.

The 2010 headline goal will have no implications for national sovereignty, which is a fundamental underlying principle to participation in the European Security and Defence Policy. Ireland will continue to approach proposed missions on a case-by-case basis and will only participate in operations authorised by the United Nations and with the approval of the Government and this House.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I congratulate the Minister on his elevation. He says he has not yet considered the headline goal for 2010, but will take things on a case-by-case basis.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am considering it, but have not yet made a decision.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister must recognise that Ireland will have to make a contribution. Even if we do not participate, Article 28 of the Treaty of the European Union refers to what are known as "common costs". What does the Minister anticipate those common costs will be for Ireland?

Does the Minister agree that the battle groups as they are now constituted are the embryonic form of a European army? Will he comment on the matter? Is he concerned about the way in which battle groups will be used? He mentioned the Petersberg Tasks which include pre-emptive action, joint disarmament operations and, I quote, speak of support for third countries in combating terrorism. I would like the Minister to comment on the analysis of the International Security Information Service in Brussels that has said——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I make two points to the Deputy. He had one minute for his supplementary question, which has concluded, and it is not appropriate to quote during Question Time.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I wish to let the Minister know and state for the benefit of the House that the information service said this could include anything from providing personal security to UN inspectors to——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am sorry Deputy, but you have used your minute.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

——a full scale invasion such as the one that took place in Iraq. I would like the Minister to comment on that.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank Deputy Gormley for his kind words of congratulation that I deeply appreciate. My understanding is that there is no obligation on Ireland to participate in this though I will double check for the Deputy. On costs, we operate on the principle that they lie where they fall. If we contribute to a particular mission, we bear the cost. In future, there could be a question of common costs that would be shared among the different participants, but we have certainly not arrived at that stage yet.

I do not agree with Deputy Gormley that the battle groups constitute an embryonic European army. We are speaking here about a number of states making a contribution of personnel or equipment to these battle groups under the aegis and at the request of the United Nations. Such battle groups could be assembled and deployed quickly to prevent genocide such as we saw in Rwanda, pillage, rape and other forms of attack. That is the raison d'être of this proposal. While the United Nations regularly requests individual countries to provide forces for peacekeeping, nobody has suggested the organisation has an army. Therefore, I do not see why it is proper to say Europe has an embryonic or any other type of army.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In his answer the Minister referred to the answer he gave to my question earlier. I do not believe the Minister can deliver on this commitment.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy, a question please.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

If troops are already deployed on UN duty, how can they be deployed on European rapid reaction activity or vice versa? There is a contradiction in that, which has not been fully explained to the people. By signing up to this and furthering it by agreeing to battle groups, we are lessening our commitment to the UN.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not agree. The issue here is the supply of personnel for peacekeeping missions whether the request is made by the United Nations directly or indirectly through the European Union. I do not see what is the difference in substance.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Will the Minister comment on the declaration at the June European Council that spoke of pre-emptive action? Does he agree that battle groups should be involved in such action?

The Minister told the House that he does not believe there is justification for discussion of an embryonic European army. I put it to him that in the headline goal itself, the European Union is referred to as a global actor ready to take on the role of a global security force. That gives rise to popular suspicion that what is involved is a counterweight, as so many people put it, to the United States of America. That is what we are talking about.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I do not see European Governments involving themselves in the level of expenditure on weapons and military capability that would make them an effective counterweight to the United States of America in our lifetime.

On pre-emptive action, Deputy Gormley may or may not be aware that a capability conference will take place in Brussels in November which I hope to attend on behalf of the Government. The details of how battle groups will operate, of what they will consist and of how member states hope to contribute or not will be discussed there. We are at an early stage at the moment and people should not rush to conclusions about pre-emptive action.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is what I said. I was simply quoting the Minister.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

One can say what one wishes, but the ultimate shape of the rapid response force will be decided by the defence Ministers of the member states of the European Union. We have decided nothing yet.