Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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140. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Defence Forces are in a position to contribute to operational measures with European Union partners in the event of Russian military aggression against Ukraine from a capability perspective given the outcomes of the most recent European Commission meeting on 16 December 21 at which the European Union expressed readiness to coordinate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3896/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At its meeting on 16 December 2021, the European Council adopted conclusions which stressed the urgent need for Russia to de-escalate tensions caused by the military build-up along its border with Ukraine. The Council also reiterated its full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and noted that "any further military aggression against Ukraine will have massive consequences and severe cost in response, including restrictive measures coordinated with partners." The Council urged diplomatic efforts to achieve the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

Earlier this week, the Foreign Affairs Council, in which I participated, adopted conclusions noting that “the EU has accelerated the preparatory work” on a “wide array of sectoral and individual restrictive measures that would be adopted in coordination with partners” in the event of “any further military aggression by Russia against Ukraine”. These conclusions condemned Russia’s continued aggressive actions and threats against Ukraine and called on Russia to de-escalate. Ministers concurred that the EU should continue with diplomatic efforts to convince Russia to take the path of dialogue and tasked the High Representative to keep coordinating the EU position with key partners like the US, NATO and OSCE.

Ireland strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a position we have repeatedly reaffirmed at the UN Security Council meetings on Ukraine and in EU meetings, including at a meeting of EU Defence Ministers on 12 January and meetings of EU Foreign Ministers on 13/14 January and on 24 January.

The Deputy will be aware that the deployment of contingents of the Defence Force on overseas military operations must be approved under an appropriate resolution of the United Nations Security Council and is subject to Government and Dáil Éireann approval as appropriate. In considering any mission, the Government takes many factors into account including the capability requirements of the operation and the capacity of the Defence Forces to discharge the mandate of the operation. The Deputy will note the strong emphasis by the EU on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the current situation and, as such, the issue in question does not arise at this time.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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141. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel currently based in Dundalk, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3825/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The overall Defence property portfolio consists of a diverse range of facilities from conventional military barracks to forts, camps and training lands. In addition, the Naval Base, Haulbowline, Co. Cork and Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Dublin 22 are also permanently occupied military installations.

For operational and security reasons, details of the staffing levels and the staffing capacity located at each military installation, including Dundalk, County Louth cannot be disclosed. It should be noted however that the number of personnel stationed at a particular location will frequently vary on an on-going basis, as it is a normal operational feature for there to be a constant through-flow of personnel into and out of military installations on an ongoing basis.