Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 33 together.

The EU established the European Peace Facility (EPF) in 2021. The Facility has three main aims: First, it funds the common costs of the EU’s military missions and operations under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP); second, it helps to finance Peace Support Operations led by international and regional organisations, as well as partner countries around the world; and third, it strengthens the military and defence capacities of third states and international organisations on military and defence measures.

The current overall budget ceiling for the EPF for the period from 2021-2027 is approximately €12.04 billion (in current prices). In line with the Programme for Government, all of Ireland’s EPF contributions are directed solely towards non-lethal assistance. As is the case for all EU Member States, Ireland’s contributions to the EPF are calculated proportionally, based on a GNI key and spread across the life cycle of the EPF from 2021-2027.

Contributions under the EPF are shared between the Department of Foreign Affairs (Vote 28) and the Department of Defence (Vote 36). The Department of Foreign Affairs covers costs in respect of Assistance Measures and the Department of Defence covers costs in respect of the European Union’s Military CSDP Missions and Operations. Ireland’s contributions to date under the EPF are as follows:

For the remaining years of the EPF (2024-2027), the maximum projected costs to Ireland are currently calculated at approximately €219 million. The final amount payable will depend on the actual assistance measures and the financing for missions and operations agreed under the EPF; and on each Member State’s annually-recalculated GNI key.

With regard to Ukraine, Russia’s illegal invasion in February 2022 has led to the unprecedented mobilisation of the EPF to provide military assistance to Ukraine to defend itself in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.

To date under the EPF, EU Member States have agreed approximately €5.6 billion (in current prices) to support Ukraine. This includes approximately €5.22 billion in lethal military assistance and €380 million in non-lethal military assistance. Ireland’s commitment – which is directed solely towards non-lethal assistance - now stands at approximately €122 million. This helps to supply items such as medical equipment, food, personal protective equipment and fuel. Of this €122 million, Ireland has disbursed approximately €25.493 million from the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Vote 28.

In addition to the €5.6 billion in support through assistance measures under the EPF, the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) was established by the Foreign Affairs Council in October 2022. The Mission is providing specialised training to the Ukrainian Armed Forces and coordinating Member State training activities. It has trained approximately 40,000 Ukrainian soldiers as of the end of 2023. The Government has approved the participation of up to 30 Irish Defence Forces’ personnel in EUMAM Ukraine. Ireland also provides a small number of staff positions. To date the Defence Forces have delivered training modules in tactical combat casualty care, demining/mine clearance, and drill instruction training.

As of the end of 2023, Ireland has disbursed €4.164 million from the Department of Defence’s Vote 36 under the EPF in relation to EUMAM Ukraine (to support the common costs of the Mission and the Mission’s non-lethal assistance measure).