Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 9: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update in the EUTM Somalia, the EU mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces and the involvement of Defence Forces or any other personnel from this State; the aims of this project; the level of oversight and if this has changed due to the present famine conditions in the horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25089/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The EU training mission, or EUTM as it is known, in Somalia - there is an abbreviated version of every mission that people are engaged in - to train the security forces of the Somali Transitional Federal Government was launched on 7 April 2010 in implementation of UN Security Council resolutions 1872, 2009 and 1910, 2010. These resolutions urge the international community and organisations to provide technical assistance for the training of the Somali Security Forces.

The mandate of the mission is to train 2,000 selected Somali recruits in two intakes in the Bihanga camp, which is 300 km south west of Kampala in Uganda. Following Government approval, five members of the Defence Forces, two officers and three NCOs deployed to EUTM in Somalia in April 2010, for a period of 12 months to assist in the training of potential Somali non-commissioned officers, NCOs.

In June 2011, the Government approved continued participation in the mission for a further period of one year beyond August 2011, subject to an appropriate decision of the Council of the European Union authorising the extension of the mission. On 28 July 2011, the Council of the European Union adopted a decision extending the mission for a year.

The original mandate of the mission was to train 2,000 recruits in two intakes in Uganda. The second intake completed their training in July 2011. The mission has trained 1,776 personnel in total. The European External Action Service, EEAS, has recently completed its fourth mission assessment and noted that the reintegration and return to Mogadishu of the first intake of trained soldiers is complete and that planning is in train for the return to Mogadishu of the second intake of recruits.

Ireland's participation in Somalia is part of a larger effort to support, together with our EU partners, the creation of functioning, stable institutions there, without which there is little prospect of political progress in that troubled country. The devastating impact of the current famine in the country serves to underscore the need to make rapid progress toward achieving a representative and effective government. The adoption on 6 September of the roadmap for ending transition in Somalia represents a welcome step towards that goal.

Oversight of the mission is exercised in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaty on European Union.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

The mission plan for the refocused mission has recently been finalised and was presented to the Political and Security Committee, PSC, on 13 September. Future training will focus on developing Somali command and control, specialised capabilities and Somali self-training expertise.

Colonel Michael Beary of the Defence Forces was appointed mission commander with effect from 9 August, succeeding Colonel Ricardo Gonzalez Elul of the Spanish armed forces. As mission commander, Colonel Beary is responsible for managing all aspects of the mission. He has a key role in interacting with Uganda as host nation, the United States, the United Nations and the African Union Mission in Somalia, AMISOM. He is also responsible for briefing the PSC in Brussels and Defence and Foreign Ministers at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meetings.

Ireland continues to contribute three personnel to a joint training team with the Maltese armed forces which is providing training in Bihanga Camp. Colonel Beary and two other Irish personnel are based in mission headquarters in Kampala. One other Defence Forces officer is based in the mission headquarters support cell in Brussels.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Regarding the ongoing humanitarian situation in Somalia, what training is being undertaken? Does it just relate to military operations or are we also giving assistance in terms of training in carrying out civil duties, including restoring political stability? Are we providing any training on the humanitarian aspects or is it solely military training?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Government has been following and responding to the increasingly difficult situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa region for many months and allocated more than €9 million in emergency assistance. On a per capita basis, Ireland's contribution is one of the most significant responses to the crisis. Funding from Ireland has been used directly by the United Nations, the Red Cross and NGOs such as Concern and Trócaire to provide vital food, supplies, shelter, basic health care and clean water for thousands of people in some of the worst affected areas of the region. Thanks to this assistance, we believe the lives of hundreds of people are being saved every day across Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia. In addition to the financial help, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, through Irish Aid, has carried out two airlifts of humanitarian supplies from its prepositioned stockpiles in Dubai. Looking ahead, the Government is in ongoing contact with our partners in the region. We are actively examining options for the provision of further support and will do what we can to be of assistance. The problems of the region will not be adequately solved without political settlements and an end to the violence taking place on a regular basis and which, together with famine, is substantially contributing to the appalling plight of the tens of thousands of refugees dependent on aid in the region.

Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Are we also training the troops in how to respond to the humanitarian crisis, apart from the aid we are giving?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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We are essentially training troops who, we hope, based on the ethos and principles we bring to the mission, will have a degree of insight in carrying out their duties when they return to Mogadishu. It is hoped this will prove to be a valuable contribution in achieving a degree of stability, but, of course, no one can guarantee this.