Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

380. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if members of the Army Ranger Wing deployed with the German armed forces in Mali engaged in military conflict in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9847/21]

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

Government and Dáil approval was received in June 2019 for the deployment of a contingent of the Permanent Defence Forces to participate in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in MALI (MINUSMA).

MINUSMA was established under the provisions of Chapter VII of the UN Charter and by Security Council resolution 2100 (25 April 2013) to support political processes in that country and to carry out a number of security-related tasks in support of the population. The current mandate is in place until 30 June 2021, with a focus on Security Sector Reform, Protection of Civilians, constitutional reform, implementation of the peace agreement (Algiers Peace Agreement 2015), and the participation of women (UNSCR 1325) across all elements of society and government.

The Defence Forces participation in MINUSMA commenced in September 2019 with the deployment of an Army Ranger Wing Special Operations Task Unit with the German-led Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Task Force. The ARW deploy as a team to carry out surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations as part of the larger intelligence surveillance reconnaissance company. The Special Operations Task Unit utilises technology via unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, and human sources, that is, personnel on the ground engaging with local people, to gather intelligence for the UN mission. The ARW are supporting this effort by providing personnel to undertake these tasks.

Currently, there are 2 officers deployed in MINUSMA Force Headquarters in Bamako and an additional 12 personnel, including members of the Army Ranger Wing, deployed with the German Armed Forces at Camp Castor in GAO, Mali. All deployed personnel are embedded with the larger German company and are carrying out assigned tasks in accordance with the mission mandate.

Specific details of the deployment and operations of the ARW are subject to normal operational security reporting restrictions and are not disclosed for operational security reasons.