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Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D., secures Cabinet approval for Defence Forces participation in the Training Mission in Mali

Today, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr Alan Shatter, T.D., secured Cabinet approval for the deployment of members of the Permanent Defence Force to the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM Mali).  This paves the way for the deployment of Irish personnel to the mission, which is being carried out in support of United Nations Security Council resolutions 2071 (2012) and 2085 (2012)..

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".

Minister Shatter added: "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".

ENDS

Note for Editors:

The EUTM Mali mission was established by the Council of the European Union on 17 January 2013 in support of United Nations Security Council resolutions 2071 (2012) and 2085 (2012).  The mission will provide military training and advice to the Malian Armed Forces in order to improve their capacity to maintain security in Mali and restore the authority of the Malian Government and the territorial integrity of the Malian State.

The mission was formally launched by the EU on 18 February 2013 and its initial mandate is to last for fifteen (15) months. The mission, including the force protection element, will comprise some 500 military personnel in total. Of this figure, approximately 200 military personnel will be deployed as trainers. The training mission is expected to be fully deployed by mid-March 2013 with training commencing at the beginning of April 2013.

The joint UK/Irish Infantry Training Team will comprise twenty-four (24) personnel, six (6) of which will be Irish personnel.