Written answers

Tuesday, 10 March 2009

Department of Defence

Overseas Missions

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for Defence if it is intended to continue participation with EUFOR in Bosnia; the extent to which discussions have taken place with EU and UN colleagues in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10188/09]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The EU operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina — Operation "Althea" — was established in December 2004, under the authority of UN Security Council Resolution 1575 of 22 November 2004, to replace the NATO-led Stabilisation Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR). Ireland has participated in EUFOR since December 2004, having previously been a participant in SFOR since 1997.

The resolution authorised the establishment of a multinational stabilisation force (EUFOR), for an initial period of 12 months, as a legal successor to SFOR. On 20 November 2008, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1845 (2008) renewing EUFOR's mandate for a further period of 12 months.

The EU Defence Ministers General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting held in Brussels in November 2008, which I attended, focused on the future of Operation ALTHEA. At this meeting, Defence Ministers discussed four possible options in relation to the future of the Operation. However, there was a particular focus on progressing the preferred option of Member States, the transition to a support and training operation — advisory role only and it was agreed that this option should be explored in more detail. This mission will involve some 200 personnel, mainly military specialists.

It is expected that the EUFOR mission will commence transition in March with the phased drawdown of EUFOR. This process should be completed by June, 2009. With the closure of EUFOR, the Defence Forces contingent will be withdrawn. Should the decision to transition be deferred for any reason, I will obviously have to look at the issue again in the context of the outlook for the mission and the resources available to Defence. There are no plans for the Defence Forces to participate in the follow-on mission.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Defence if it is intended to increase the strength of the Army, Navy and Air Corps in view of the current or expected overseas deployments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10189/09]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The White Paper on Defence provides for an allocation of up to 850 Permanent Defence Force personnel to be deployed overseas at any one time. While this may be exceeded for short periods, deployments above this level are not sustainable on an ongoing basis within existing resources. Any commitments to EU or UN missions will be met within this context.

In common with other areas of the public service a reduction of 3% in payroll costs has been applied to the Defence Forces. Recruitment was suspended in late 2008 pending a review of the best means by which to achieve this reduction. My officials and the military authorities are keeping the situation under close review on an ongoing basis. The review and any subsequent recruitment in 2009 will prioritise the operational requirements of the Defence Forces.

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