Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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245. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Irish Army is now engaged in the training of Ukrainian soldiers for their conflict against the invading Russian forces; if so, when this training started; the length of time this will continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55929/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Forces are not currently involved in training members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

The EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) will provide specialised training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and coordinate existing Member State training activities. The mission has been developed within the framework of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).  On 17 October, the EU Foreign Affairs Council adopted a Council Decision establishing and launching the mission.

The objective of the assistance mission is to train Ukrainian soldiers on EU soil to respond to the urgent short-term needs expressed by Ukraine and to aid Ukraine in exercising its inherent right of self-defence against Russian aggression in defence of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

While it has always been and remains a matter for each Member State to decide whether or not to participate in any given military or civilian CSDP mission or operation, I have supported the establishment of this mission and Defence Forces' participation in it. 

Ireland has been invited to fill a senior staff position in the mission’s Operational Headquarters, which will operate within the EU’s Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC) in Brussels. My officials and the Defence Forces are also engaged with Ukraine to assess how best to respond to a specific request from the Ukrainian Prime Minister for support in the area of demining.