Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Defence

Human Rights Issues

11:00 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 66: To ask the Minister for Defence the steps he has taken to rectify the absence of human rights safeguards, identified by this Deputy, governing the provision of training to foreign soldiers. [11819/06]

Photo of Arthur MorganArthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 90: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will address concerns of a Deputy regarding the absence of human rights safeguards governing the provision of training to foreign soldiers as promised. [11818/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 66 and 90 together.

I was aware of the Deputy's previous questions in this area. As previously outlined in replies to the Deputy, Defence Forces training syllabi reflect the full range of contemporary developments in international humanitarian law, human rights law and the various specific humanitarian issues that may arise in theatre specific circumstances. These high level courses are directed at the role of national armed forces in the sphere of international peacekeeping duties under the direct auspices of the United Nations or with UN — mandated multinational missions. Ireland has a well deserved and quite outstanding international reputation in this area of international peacekeeping operations.

As the Deputy will be aware, countries which are NATO members participate in UN peacekeeping operations and it is in that capacity, as UN peacekeepers, current or potential, that Defence Forces training courses are provided. It is a notable tribute to the international standing of the Defence Forces, and the great esteem in which they are held abroad, that Defence Forces courses are selected for these personnel.

It is also a fact that Irish military contingents with a United Nations mission must work closely on a day to day basis with all the other military contingents of those sovereign states which are participating in that UN mission. It is hardly sensible or consistent to raise political objections about our Defence Forces interacting with individual members of the armed forces of such states because they participate in a Defence Forces training course here in Ireland, particularly where course content is focused on international peacekeeping and human rights concerns.

The course modules and content covering standards of international law and human rights standards and criteria are set out in common for all participants, regardless of their state of origin, as described. The Defence Forces are happy to be in a position to provide this exemplary professional training.

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