Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the efforts being made at EU level to heighten awareness of the ongoing threat being posed by pirates off the Somali coast; if his attention has been drawn to additional measures which the international community will put in place to combat this threat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7247/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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EU NAVFOR Atalanta is the EU's naval mission acting in support of a series of UN Security Council Resolutions calling for international community action to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia. Under its mandate, Operation Atalanta contributes to the protection of vessels of the World Food Programme delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia; to the protection of vulnerable vessels cruising off the Somali coast; and to the deterrence and prevention of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast. Ireland seconded two naval officers to Operation Atalanta in 2009. NATO and a number of individual countries also conduct naval operations against piracy.

Between the various operations established, significant co-operation has developed in response to the piracy threat off the coast of Somalia.

The EU has signed agreements with Kenya and the Seychelles providing for regional prosecution of suspected pirates detained by Operation Atalanta. Through the efforts of the EU and other international partners an International Recognised Transit Corridor has been established for commercial shipping in the Gulf of Aden, along with a Maritime Security Centre to provide anti-piracy advice and alerts to commercial shipping more generally in the region.

However, further efforts are required by the international community to address the root causes of piracy in the region. Somalia needs ongoing international support to restore peace and security, as a basis for development. These international efforts are focusing on supporting the development of indigenous Somali security forces, in partnership with the UN-recognised Transitional Federal Government.

The African Union maintains an international military presence in Somalia, AMISOM, which was deployed in March 2007. Its approximately 5,000 troops provide security for specific tasks in and around Mogadishu, but it is not in a position to provide wide-area security for civilians. The EU is also keen to play its part in helping to improve the Somali security sector. To this end, at the January Foreign Affairs Council meeting EU Ministers agreed to set up a new military mission to contribute to the training of Somali security forces. This mission will take place in Uganda which will also facilitate the coordination of the EU action with AMISOM. The mission is expected to commence in spring 2010.