Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent, if any, of discussions he has had with his EU colleagues in the context of overseas deployment of peace-keeping or peace-enforcement missions under the aegis of the EU or UN; the likely or anticipated location of any such deployment in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14293/12]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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During each EU Presidency both formal and informal meetings of Defence Ministers are held. Last November my colleague the Minister for Defence attended the formal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council with Defence Ministers. The operation commanders of the three current EU-led missions were also in attendance. Discussions were focused on these current operations and future proposed developments.

Ireland contributes Defence Forces personnel to two of the three current EU missions. Ireland contributes seven personnel to the Operation ALTHEA mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ireland contributes seven personnel including the mission commander, Colonel Michael Beary, to EUTM Somalia, the EU's mission to train Somali security forces in Uganda. The Government has this week approved the participation of a further three personnel to this mission.

The other EU mission, Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA, is the EU's first maritime operation which contributes to improving maritime security off the coast of Somalia and in the Indian Ocean. Ireland does not currently contribute personnel to this operation. Ireland has received an invitation from the operational commander of Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA to contribute an autonomous vessel protection detachment, AVPD, to the operation. The Department is considering whether it will be in a position to contribute an AVPD to this operation.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

The EU is also planning a regional maritime capacity building mission to enhance the capacity of Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa region to fight piracy. The proposed mission will be complementary to and have close co-ordination with Operation EUNAVFOR ATALANTA and EUTM Somalia and international actors. This will be a civilian mission augmented with military expertise.

Ireland will participate in the Austro-German Battlegroup which will be on standby for the second six months of 2012. The other members of the Austro-German Battlegroup are Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM. Training and planning is currently ongoing in preparation for a battlegroup deployment if such a decision is taken by the council.

Regarding UN missions, Ireland currently contributes 453 personnel to the UNIFIL mission. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with several United Nations missions. Discussions are currently ongoing with Finland regarding the planned deployment of a contingent of some 170 personnel of the armed forces of Finland to UNIFIL and the formation of a joint Irish-Finnish battalion from May 2012. The number of Irish Defence Forces personnel deployed with UNIFIL is scheduled to decrease to 332 personnel as a result of the Finnish deployment.

The Department of Defence constantly reviews the deployment of Defence Forces personnel overseas. However, following the deployment to UNIFIL, it is not anticipated that there will be any major deployments of troops to further missions in the foreseeable future.

Within the EU itself, a number of committees, including the Political and Security Committee and the EU Military Committee, keep the issues of troop deployments, including rapid response, under constant review in consultation with all EU member states.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Can he indicate the extent of ongoing negotiations relating to anticipated deployments, given the various hot spots existing on the borders of Europe and worldwide? Can he indicate whether mention has been made of the western Balkans in this context, with particular reference to the concerns expressed by those permanently deployed on peace negotiations exercises in that area? Has that issue been drawn into conversations with a view to further possible deployments in that area?

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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When a request is made for Ireland to participate in a mission, the issues that arise are dealt with on a case by case basis. They are an assessment of whether a peacekeeping operation is the most appropriate response; consideration of how the mission relates to the priorities of Irish foreign policy; the degree of risk involved; the extent to which the required skills or characteristics relate to Irish capabilities; the existence of realistic objectives and a clear mandate which has the potential to contribute to a political solution; whether the operation is adequately resourced; and the level of existing commitment to peacekeeping operations and security requirements at home. When all of those issues are taken into consideration the decision is taken.

I will ask the Minister for Defence to respond directly to the Deputy regarding his specific query about the Balkans.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Has there been any request for naval support in the Indian Ocean, given the levels of piracy there and our dependence on the sea for much of our import and export trade?

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I take Deputy Stanton's comments on board. I agree that is a serious issue. This is the first time we have been asked if we can assist in the provision of an autonomous vessel protection detachment, AVPD. I will bring the Deputy's comments to the attention of the Minister.