Dáil debates

Thursday, 6 February 2014

10:35 am

Photo of Dominic HanniganDominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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9. To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the decision taken by the EU to deploy a military mission to the Central African Republic; the rationale for this decision; his Department's rationale for not participating; if Ireland will deploy any personnel and the nature of their role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5560/14]

Photo of Dominic HanniganDominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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We are all aware of the awful situation in the Central African Republic where a dreadful war is taking place and we see lynchings, the fleeing of women and children and rape being used as a means of war. At their meeting in January the European Council and the Council of Foreign Ministers agreed to deploy a force to the Central African Republic. Will the Minister outline the rationale for that decision and, also, the rationale for Ireland not participating in that force?

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Some terrible atrocities have been committed in the Central African Republic and the news last night and the newspapers this morning reported on a dreadful event in which an individual had been lynched and killed by official army forces.

On the specific issues raised by the Deputy, the European Council, in its conclusions of 20 December 2013, expressed its concern at the continuously deteriorating crisis in the Central African Republic and its severe humanitarian and human rights consequences. It welcomed the French military intervention in support of the African forces to help to restore security. It also confirmed the European Union's willingness to consider how it might contribute towards the efforts under way to stabilise the country, including under the Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP.

On 20 January 2014 the Council approved a crisis management concept for a military bridging operation in the Central African Republic to help to stabilise the situation. The mission will operate under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2134 which was adopted on 28 January. The Council stressed the importance of close co-operation between the mission and partners, notably the United Nations, the African Union and the central African authorities, as well as with the supporting French operation in the Central African Republic. The operation will provide support for a period of up to six months to help to achieve a secure environment in the Bangui region, with a view to handing over to the African Union force once this force has reached full operational capacity. The force will protect civilians and create conditions for the distribution of humanitarian aid.

Ireland is fully supportive of EU actions in the Central African Republic. While Ireland, owing to current ongoing overseas commitments, including our engagement in 14 UN related missions across the globe, will not be contributing personnel to the mission, we will contribute to the common costs of the mission. Our contribution will amount to approximately €271,000.

Photo of Dominic HanniganDominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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We are all aware of the dreadful situation in countries such as Rwanda and the Balkans in recent decades and the failure of the international community to react appropriately and in time. Does the Minister think the reaction agreed to in January will be sufficient? Many question whether enough is being done. In regard to our decision, he has mentioned we are committed to missions in 14 countries, including places such as the Golan Heights. Is there a specific role for Ireland in the mission to the Central African Republic? In the area of humanitarian intervention, for example, we have specific expertise in crisis relief. Does the Minister envisage us playing a role in this area?

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Our participation in a particular mission is always a matter for continuing review. The most recent deployment of our forces in large numbers was on the UNDOF mission to the Golan Heights in Syria where we now have approximately 125 personnel. We were specifically requested by the United Nations to take part in that mission because of the understanding our troops had of the region, our engagement there and the skills set we could bring to it at a time when troops from other states, including Austria, had decided to disengage from it. It is a time of great difficulty in the area in the context of the civil war taking place, the dreadful humanitarian disaster and the dreadful atrocities being committed by all sides. Some 130,000 people have died in the civil war, over 10,000 of whom were children. Approximately 40 journalists have been kidnapped or abducted by extreme organisations. With regard to UNDOF, we were asked if we could provide our niche skills and we are now doing this.

As Minister I must be conscious as to the number of missions in which we can engage. As I stated, we have engagements in 14 missions across the globe and I believe, but I am open to correction, this is the largest number of missions in which we have ever been engaged. In some locations there is a small number of Defence Forces members and in others there is a very large number such as in southern Lebanon. Decisions must be made in this regard. I do not think our EU colleagues, because of our commitments in the Golan Heights, southern Lebanon and elsewhere, expected we would contribute to this mission at this stage, but it is a matter of ongoing consideration and review and should it at some stage seem appropriate or should we conclude there is an engagement we should have it will be a matter for decision by the Government and the House under the triple lock mechanism? This is a UN-sanctioned mission so it is a mission in which we could participate with the agreement of the House and the Government, but as at this time the decision is we will not be participating in it.

Written Answers follow Adjournment.