Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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32. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that all correct procedures were followed prior to the nomination of a person (details supplied) for election to the position of chair of the European Union Military Committee. [44216/17]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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My question is about the procedures followed in making the decision to nominate the Chief of Staff as chair of the European Union Military Committee. The decision was taken on 18 September, two days before we resumed after the summer break, without any consultation with the Dáil. There was an arrogance in the timing and the fact that the House had not been consulted. No doubt the Minister of State will tell me that, strictly, no rules were broken, but it was an affront to our long-standing policy of military neutrality.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am fully satisfied all correct national and EU procedures were followed in the nomination of Vice Admiral Mellett, the current Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, for appointment as chair of the European Union Military Committee, the most senior military establishment within the European Union. It was established under Council Decision 2001/79/CFSP. When meeting in chiefs of defence format, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces attends. However, on a day-to-day basis, at its meetings, Ireland’s EU military representative who is attached to Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the European Union attends meetings of the committee on his behalf. Ireland has participated in the European Union Military Committee since its establishment.

Pursuant to Article 3(1) of Council Decision 2001/79/CFSP, the chair of the Military Committee of the European Union is appointed by the European Council on the recommendation of the European Union Military Committee meeting at the level of chiefs of defence. Accordingly, the next chair of the European Union Military Committee will be selected by secret vote by the chiefs of defence of the member states at a meeting scheduled to take place next month in Brussels. On the basis of that vote, the chair will then be appointed by the European Council for a fixed period of three years.

The Defence (Amendment) Act 2006 provides in section 3(1)(a) that a contingent or member of the Permanent Defence Force may, with the prior approval of and on the authority of the Government, be despatched for service outside the State for the purposes of carrying out duties as a military representative or filling appointments or postings outside the State, including secondments to any international organisation. Pursuant to this provision, the Government, at its meeting on 19 September, decided to nominate Vice Admiral Mark Mellett as chair of the European Union Military Committee, consistent with the provisions of the Defence Acts. Following that approval and on the authority of Government, Ireland’s nomination of Vice Admiral Mark Mellett for election to the position of chair of the European Union Military Committee was formally communicated when nominations opened. The nomination for appointment as chair of the European Union Military Committee further demonstrates Ireland’s ongoing commitment to remaining at the core of the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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The Minister of State's response is largely technical, whereas the issue is probably broadly political. I have no problem whatever with the individual involved, which is not at issue. There are implications for Irish neutrality in this nomination to one of the European Union's permanent political and military structures which sits snugly beside the European Defence Agency. Let us not kid ourselves as the European Union Military Committee is exactly what it says on the tin; it is a military committee. Its recent chairman indicated that for the European Union soft power and hard power went hand in hand. In an address in Estonia in February the EU global strategy was described, with a key element being the establishment of permanent planning and conduct capability for military missions and operations. They were the most pressing priorities. We are looking down the barrel in having the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, if elected to the role, take on the position and driving forward in the operational military headquarters of the European Union. That is quite simply incredible in a country with a policy of neutrality. The triple lock mechanism should have been invoked and it is in place for a reason. It is incredibly disrespectful that there has not been a debate in the House on the matter.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The timing of the decision coincided with the opening of nominations for the position. The decision does not call into question our policy on neutrality. Ireland has been a member of the European Union Military Committee since its inception in 2001. It was supported by successive Governments comprising Fianna Fáil and Independents; Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats; Fianna Fáil and the Green Party; Fine Gael and the Labour Party; and Fine Gael and Independents. All of these Governments over many years supported our commitment to being a member of the committee. It shows the standing of personnel within the Defence Forces that they are capable of being nominated for such a position as chair of the European Union Military Committee. I would be the first to respect our neutrality, but that does not mean that we should not engage at an international level. I can absolutely stand here and say the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces is an excellent candidate. He has proved himself in the Naval Service and the Defence Forces as a whole. He can stand shoulder to shoulder with colleagues, including previous Chiefs of Staff, and personnel across Europe.

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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I never said he could not. Previous Chiefs of Staff might have something to say about that as they were also capable of being nominated, but that is not at issue. It is not about a skill set but about a political decision. The Minister of State is correct in that the decision is completely in line with other policies adopted that have chipped away at our neutrality. They include the US military's use of Shannon Airport, NATO warships in Irish ports, sending Irish ships to global arms fairs and committing them to involvement in operations such as Operation Sophia, exporting arms and joining EU battle groups. We have done all of that and now want our man at the helm to be chair of the European Union Military Committee. The Minister of State knows that its current chairman has been glad-handing the commander-in-chief of the Egyptian army which is known for extra-judicial killings and widespread human rights abuses. Do we want the Chief of Staff to be engaged in this also? It seems to be quite clear from the Minister of State's response that this is a prestige project which for some reason is being driven either by the Government or sections of the Defence Forces; I am not sure which. It seems that they want to be big boys playing with the fellows with big toys, but it would not be welcomed by most citizens.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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It was a Government decision. The Deputy mentioned Operation Sophia. It came within the triple-lock mechanism as it is a UN-mandated mission. It received Government approval and the approval of this House. I have never been afraid to bring decisions to the Chamber, knowing that I could walk out the door saying the Dáil and the Government had made the right decision. This is good for the Defence Forces and Ireland. I hope the Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, will get the nod and win the vote. I wish him the very best. The Government and the diplomatic corps have given him help. It sends a very strong message that we have people who are capable of holding a position such as this.