merrion street

Justice & Defence Minister Alan Shatter today announced that a Defence Forces training team will now form part of a joint infantry training team with the United Kingdom armed forces to provide military training and advice to the Malian Armed Forces.  Speaking following the Cabinet decision, the Minister said:

Ireland will contribute eight members of the Defence Forces to the mission.  Six of these personnel will be deployed to the joint UK/Irish training team and two personnel will occupy staff posts in the mission.   It is planned that the Defence Forces will deploy to the mission in mid-March 2013.

The proposed deployment of a Defence Forces training team for service with EUTM Mali supports Ireland’s ongoing obligations to international peace and security and the commitment to maintaining the Defence Forces capabilities in international operations.

The mission is being carried out in support of United Nations Security Council resolutions 2071 (2012) and 2085 (2012).