Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Defence his views on the reports from human rights organisations regarding executions and serious human rights abuses by the Malian military in the context of the impending deployment of members of the Irish Defence Forces to assist that same army. [13454/13]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Ireland and our EU partners are gravely concerned about reports of human rights violations by the Malian authorities. Such allegations must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible should be held accountable. Respect for human rights is at the core of all of Ireland's engagement in overseas missions. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2071 (2012) calls on the EU to provide assistance, expertise, training and capacity-building support to the armed and security forces of Mali in order to restore the authority of the State of Mali over its entire national territory.

As a result, the Government decided on 26 February to deploy eight members of the Permanent Defence Force for service with the EU training mission in Mali, as part of a joint infantry training team with the United Kingdom armed forces, to provide military training and advice for the Malian armed forces. The mandate of EUTM Mali, in which Ireland will participate, includes a strong focus on training the Malian armed forces in the areas of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Addressing concerns about the human rights situation in Mali is one of the European Union’s highest priorities. At the Dublin meeting of Development Ministers on 12 February the European Union announced that it would be providing funding for the deployment of human rights monitors throughout Mali. The monitors will be from the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States and civil society. The situation in Mali is being discussed at the current session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Ireland will be playing an active role in these deliberations in order to highlight our continuing human rights concerns and ensure these are addressed.

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We are consistent in our view that the crisis will not be resolved through military action alone. In this context, we are pressing hard for progress on the political track. The Government has welcomed the progress made in that area in recent weeks with the adoption by the Malian Government of a political transition road map and the establishment of a national dialogue and reconciliation commission. My colleague, the Minister for Defence, calls for the full implementation of the road map culminating in free and fair elections scheduled for July.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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It is extraordinary that Ireland, a supposedly neutral state, would commit eight members of the Defence Forces to work in an EU-NATO operation. There have been disclosures of human rights abuses. Human Rights Watch recently reported various incidents involving the Malian army during this period, including the summary execution of 13 civilians and the disappearance of others, as well as the torture of civilians. The UN special adviser on the prevention of genocide, Adama Dieng, expressed serious concerns about human rights abuses involving the Malian army. Ireland has a proud history of participating in UN blue helmet peacekeeping operations. I acknowledge the Minister is not present because he has been in the Lebanon paying tribute to Defence Force members, of whom we are very proud. However, the operation in Mali is not a blue helmet operation. Our neutrality is very precious. It gives us the capacity to play a role in conflict resolution in parts of the world such as the Middle East, in particular. If the Defence Forces are increasingly working with NATO under whatever guise, this undermines our neutrality.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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I repeat what I said in my response: "United Nations Security Council Resolution 2071 (2012) calls on the European Union to provide assistance, expertise, training and capacity building support for the armed and security forces of Mali in order to restore the authority of the state of Mali over its entire national territory." Ireland is participating on the basis of a United Nations Security Council resolution. The reason for our presence in Mali is to support the United Nations. The Deputy is correct that violations of human rights have been clearly identified. The Irish troops are training Malian army personnel in dealing with issues related to human rights violations. The United Nations is extremely concerned about any violation of human rights and there is no doubt the Malian army has violated human rights. The protection of human rights is a priority for Ireland, the European Union and the United Nations. There are also serious abuses of human rights by others in Mali on the other side of the conflict. Our job is to ensure such abuses end.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I refer to the UN Security Council resolution on Libya which did not stipulate that France and Britain engage in regime change and removal, but which is what they did. It has resulted in a crisis in Syria because Russia and China will not support a Security Council resolution on Syria. I refer to long-standing UN resolutions on Israel and the West Bank settlements, yet we are not sending Defence Forces members to help the people of Palestine. These activities are optional and the Government has choices. We need a debate on this operation in Mali. As only eight members of the Defence Forces are going to Mali, the operation does not require the approval of the House which is necessary when more than 12 members of the Defence Forces are involved. I appeal to the Minister of State and the Minister for Defence, Deputy Alan Shatter to agree to a debate in the House on the impact on our neutrality of this involvement in Mali. I agree that there are human rights abuses on both sides of the conflicti. I also agree that the international community has a role to play in conflict resolution, peacekeeping and protecting people on both sides. However, we are taking sides and not being neutral in this issue. This is not in keeping with Ireland's international reputation. We need a debate to discuss the issue rather than have this measure rushed through in a couple of minutes today.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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The time allotted for the Deputy's Priority Question is ordered by the rules of the House. I do not have a problem with allocating more time if the House so decides.

Any issue relating to Irish troops can be discussed, either by means of a Priority Question in the House, an Oireachtas committee or in the annual report of the Department of Defence. A resolution of the House is not required if the number of troops being sent on an operation is fewer than 12. However, this does not prevent the House from discussing the issue, as is the case today.

I reject the Deputy's argument that this country is not being true to its policy on neutrality. Irish troops are actively supporting the United Nations in this operation in order to ensure human rights violations will be dealt with very seriously. They are working to support the United Nations. I disagree with the Deputy the situation in Libya. Whatever happened there, one gentleman - Colonel Gaddafi - is no longer in charge. I think he gave certain Semtex explosives to people on this island who put many thousands in early graves. I objected to them and still do. I am glad that he is gone, but I do not know the Deputy's views in that regard.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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I am glad Colonel Gaddafi is gone, but that country has been destroyed because of the abuse by NATO powers of a UN Security Council resolution. Every objective observer in the world agree with that assessment. Libya has been destroyed by that approach. There is no intervention in Syria because of the ridiculous behaviour of international powers.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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We have to move on. As Deputy Finian McGrath is not in the House for Question No. 3, we will deal with Question No. 4.