Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

88. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland is implementing incentivisation programmes in view of the fact that the Joint Action Plan for Implementing the Civilian CSDP Compact recommends that member states incentivise eligible public servants and their employers to consider participation in civilian CSDP missions; if so, the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6045/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under our National Implementation Plan for the Civilian CSDP compact, Ireland has committed to explore whether new arrangements can be put in place for serving public servants to deploy from Government Departments to civilian CSDP missions.

I am very proud of the contribution made by all our secondees, who serve with distinction globally and would like to see the options for serving public servants to have the opportunity to serve in civilian crisis management missions broadened. Irish public servants from a wide range of Government Departments and public bodies have the skills, expertise and experience to make an important contribution to Civilian CSDP Missions. 

Serving Irish Civil Servants are currently required to take special leave if they wish to take up a position in a Civilian CSDP mission. The potential impact on seniority and pension rights could serve as a disincentive to taking up these positions. This is an issue which my Department will be discussing with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform within the framework of our National Implementation Plan.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

89. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has seconded persons from the private sector to civilian CSDP missions; if so, if the cost of this secondment is covered by the State or by the seconded expert's employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6046/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The EU's civilian CSDP missions are staffed by a combination of staff employed and paid by the European External Action Service and specialist staff funded directly by Member States. The latter are also appointed by the EEAS, on the basis of competitive interview of candidates put forward by Member States. If their candidate is successful, the Member State is responsible for the remuneration of that person. 

These specialists are commonly referred to as secondees, although not all are serving public servants. In Ireland's case, secondees from the public service have, to date, been members of An Garda Síochána who have served with the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo. They remain employed and paid by An Garda Síochána, as they would if they were on UN service.

All other Irish applicants selected by the EEAS for deployment in a Civilian CSDP Mission are provided with an agreement for services from the Department of Foreign Affairs to carry out their work as a seconded independent contractor. Current Irish secondees in Civilian CSDP Missions come from a range of employment backgrounds. A number are retired members of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces, others have experience with NGOs, or with international organisations such as the UN and OSCE, while others have recent private sector experience. 

My Department identifies suitable vacancies in civilian CSDP Missions and opens them for application through the EEAS Goalkeeper platform. Applications for positions are open to all individuals registered with my Department through the Goalkeeper platform. Details on Goalkeeper registration can be accessed through the Public Appointments Service website.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

90. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a copy of Ireland's national implementation plan for the civilian CSDP compact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6047/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland was a leading advocate for the EU's Civilian CSDP Compact, which was adopted in November 2018. Civilian CSDP is a vital element in the implementation of the EU’s Global Strategy and the Compact will make it more capable, flexible and responsive to the needs of our external partners.

Through Civilian CSDP, the EU engages with partners to support them in building capacity around Rule of Law, policing and civil administration, which are vital to establishing and maintaining the security and stability which their societies require to thrive. The Compact will also enhance the capacity of the EU to respond to new and emerging challenges in our neighbourhood. 

Ireland finalised its National Implementation Plan for the Civilian CSDP Compact in November 2019, covering the period to 2023. It was presented at the inaugural Civilian CSDP Annual Review Conference held in Brussels that same month. I am attaching a copy to this response.

Our National Implementation Plan includes a range of actions designed to further, at a national level, the 22 commitments agreed in the Compact. Progress on implementation of the compact was discussed at the second Annual Review Conference, held virtually in Brussels in November 2020.