Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 April 2026
274. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the plans if any, for the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management during the Irish Eu Council Presidency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23683/26]
View answerIreland is a founding member of the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management (CoE), a member-based association located in Berlin. The CoE operates with a focus on enhancing capabilities to strengthen civilian crisis management in the framework of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).
Ireland believes that a capable, effective and responsive civilian CSDP is essential to solving Europe’s security challenges as part of an integrated approach that tackles the root causes of conflict. The CoE has continually assisted my Department in pursuit of this overarching objective by facilitating the exchange of good practice amongst its members (currently 25 EU Member States), as well as through the provision of expert advice, and consultation on refining and improving our own approach to civilian CSDP governance and secondments. Through my Department, Ireland currently seconds 22 civilian experts across eight of the 12 civilian CSDP missions, specifically in Armenia, Georgia, Iraq, Kosovo, Somalia, and Ukraine, as well as in both civilian Missions in the oPt.
Although the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU will have no role in the CoE's governance or operations, given that the CoE is an independent member-based association rather than an official EU institution or body, my Department is currently finalising plans for collaborative engagement with the CoE during our Presidency, in the form of jointly hosted events on thematic issues related to civilian CSDP, in line with other recent EU Presidencies.
