Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence if he expects Irish troops currently in Uganda training Somali forces to move to Mogadishu; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6186/13]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the Irish presence in the EUTM Somalia, EU led Training Mission in Uganda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6209/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 24 together.

On the 7 April 2010, the EU launched a Military Training Mission in Somalia (EUTM Somalia) in order to contribute to strengthening the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the institutions of Somalia. This support continues to take place within the framework of the EU's comprehensive engagement in Somalia, with a view to responding to the priority needs of the Somali people and its new Government and to stabilizing Somalia. Training has been provided in Uganda in close collaboration with the Ugandan Defence Forces due to the political and security situation in Somalia.

Following Government approval, the Defence Forces have been serving with EUTM Somalia since April 2010. Ireland took over operational command of the mission in August 2011, with the appointment of Colonel Michael Beary of the Defence Forces. In December 2012, the Government approved continued participation in the mission, for a further period of one year to December 2013. Ireland currently has ten (10) personnel serving with the mission.

On 22 January 2013, the Council adopted a decision extending the mandate of EUTM Somalia until March 2015. The new EUTM Somalia mandate involves a significant change of focus of the mission from Uganda to Somalia. In this regard, the EU is planning to gradually move the mission’s training activities from Uganda to Mogadishu in Somalia in the near future, but this is dependent on security conditions in Somalia. The Council has appointed another Irish officer, Brigadier General Gerald Aherne, as the new Mission Commander from 1 February 2013. EUTM is playing a very important role in strengthening the capacity of the Somali army, with a view to the long-term sustainable development of the country’s security forces.