Written answers
Tuesday, 15 September 2020
Department of Defence
Common Security and Defence Policy
Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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377. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the involvement by Ireland in EU Common Security and Defence Policy missions over the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23326/20]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) provides the EU with the capacity to undertake peacekeeping and conflict prevention missions and to strengthen international security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.
The EU is currently involved in 17 CSDP missions and operations, of these six are military, and 11 are civilian. Ireland is an active participant in both civilian and military CSDP Missions, with civilian deployments a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Ireland currently deploys Defence Forces personnel to three UN mandated EU military missions and operations, comprising the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali), Operation Althea in Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR ALTHEA) and a maritime operation in the Eastern Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI). As at 4 September 2020, twelve (12) Defence Forces personnel were deployed to EUTM Mali, five (5) to EUFOR ALTHEA and three (3) to EUNAVFOR MED IRINI's Operational HQ in Rome.
Details of Common Security and Defence Policy Missions where Defence Forces personnel have served over the past five years (2015 to date) are set out below.
| YEAR | CSDP MISSION (all abbreviations outlined at end of document) | Numbers serving as of 01 January each year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | EUFOR Althea | 5 |
| EUTM Mali | 19 | |
| Operation Sophia (Mission closed on 31 March 2020) | 3 in HQ | |
| Operation Irini (Mission commenced on the 1 April 2020) | ||
| 2019 | EUFOR Althea | 5 |
| EUTM Mali | 20 | |
| Operation Sophia | 3 in OHQ and 2 in FHQ | |
| 2018 | EUFOR Althea | 5 |
| EUTM Mali | 20 | |
| Operation Sophia (Naval Service ship deployed April-Oct) | 3 in OHQ | |
| 2017 | EUFOR Althea | 7 |
| EUTM Mali | 18 | |
| Operation Sophia (Naval Service ship deployed Oct-Dec with 3 HQ posts) | ||
| 2016 | EUFOR Althea | 7 |
| EUTM Mali | 9 | |
| 2015 | EUFOR Althea | 7 |
| EUTM Mali | 10 |
Abbreviation (Explanation)
- EUFOR Althea (EU Military Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina) - Launched in 2004 with an executive mandate to support the BiH authorities in maintaining a safe and secure environment and a non-executive mandate to support Bosnian Armed Forces in collective and combined training.
- EUTM Mali (EU Training Mission Mali)- Mission established in 2013 to strengthen the capabilities of the Malian Armed Forces through training advice and assistance in improving Mali's Military Education and Training System.
- Operation Irini (EU Naval Force Mediterranean Operation IRINI (EUNAVFOR Med)- Naval Operation which replaced Operation Sophia in April 2020 immediately following the closure of Operation Sophia with the primary task of contributing to preventing arms trafficking within its agreed Area of Operation.
- Operation Sophia (EU Naval Force Mediterranean Operation Sophia (EUNAVFOR Med)– Launched in 2015, the EU naval operation was tasked with contributing to disrupting the business model of human smugglers and trafficking networks, as part of a wider EU comprehensive approach, by denying them freedom of movement and neutralising their vessels and enabling assets.
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