UN task force in Kosovo
66. Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the assumption by Irish troops of the lead role in the UN task force in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32303/06]
Minister for Defence (Mr. O’Dea): I propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 21 and 66 together.
KFOR was established on 10 June, 1999, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244, for an initial period of twelve months, to continue thereafter unless the UN Security Council decides otherwise. KFOR’s mandate is to establish a secure environment in Kosovo conducive to the implementation of refugee return and reconstruction. KFOR has a current strength of approximately 15,000 troops drawn from 24 NATO countries and 11 non-NATO countries including Ireland, Austria, Finland and Sweden. The KFOR mandate is expected to continue for some considerable time to come.
Ireland has participated in KFOR since August 1999, following Government Decision and subsequent approval by Dáil Éireann of the necessary enabling motion. The Irish contingent currently comprises an Infantry Group of some 213 personnel including a number of personnel in staff posts at various Headquarters. The Infantry Group was first deployed in September 2003. Previously a Transport Group had been deployed with KFOR.
KFOR is organised into five Multinational Task Forces (MNTFs), each having a designated area of responsibility. Each Task Force comes under the command of a Framework Nation, being one of the States contributing to the particular Task Force. All Task Forces fall under a single chain of command, namely the Commander of KFOR, located at KFOR HQ, in Pristina.
The Irish Infantry Group serves in the Multi-National Task Force (Centre), which comprises approximately 1,200 personnel. Five other nations participate in this Task force: - Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden, Finland and Latvia with Sweden currently acting as Framework Nation. The Task Force’s area of responsibility is generally the Pristina region, covering 7 municipalities with a population of approximately 1 million people. The Irish commitment comprises a MOWAG mounted APC Company together with support and logistic elements and various HQ personnel. Twelve personnel are also serving at KFOR HQ.
Ireland will take over from Sweden as Framework Nation in the Multinational Task Force (Centre) in KFOR for the first time in August 2007 for a period of one (1) year to 31 July 2008.
The role of the Framework Nation is to assume responsibility for the coordination and control of the Headquarters of the Multinational Task Force (Centre), commanding, controlling and directing task force operations. The Framework Nation provides the Force Commander for the task force and most of the key planning and logistics appointments in the Force Headquarters. It is obliged to provide assets and capabilities to the Task Force, including a substantial input of resources to cater for accommodation, building maintenance, water, electricity, sewerage, catering, communications, transport, security, administration and barrack services. In addition, the Framework Nation is responsible for supporting other Task Force contributors in their operations so as to maintain the overall effectiveness of the Task Force as a whole.
Assumption of the role of Framework Nation will entail the deployment of approximately 60 additional personnel to KFOR.
KFOR is a multinational operation with contributions from a wide range of countries, each of which undertakes particular responsibilities, and lead roles in relation to certain activities. In the case of MNTF (Centre), the Finns have the lead role in the area of Civil Affairs, more commonly known as Civil-Military Cooperation or CIMIC. They have performed this role successfully for a long period of time. Ireland will continue to deploy a Staff Officer in the CIMIC cell in MNTF Centre. However, there are no plans to increase our contribution to this part of the headquarters structure. That said, the Irish contingent will continue to undertake CIMIC type work and humanitarian tasks within its area of responsibility with support from Irish Aid.
Ireland becoming Framework Nation will represent a significant progression in the development of Defence Forces peacekeeping capabilities. For the first time an Irish officer will be in command and control of a multinational brigade sized force in a Partnership for Peace (PfP) led peace support operation. A large number of Defence Forces Officers and NCOs will serve in core HQ posts, exercising overall command and control over the operations of the Task Force. In addition, Ireland will be seen by its partner nations as being prepared to share the burden of Framework Nation, which is seen as an extremely important and high profile, if onerous, responsibility. Benefit will also accrue to the Defence Forces, both at operational and individual level, enhancing the depth of experience and contributing to the overall development and modernisation of the Defence Forces. Other nations, which have served as Framework Nation, have remarked on the positive impact it has had on the modernisation and transformation of their armed forces. A term as Framework Nation will also maintain and add to Ireland’s profile and reputation as a provider of professional and interoperable forces for international peace support operations, which is a key objective of our participation in PfP generally.