An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 45 have been met. On the legal side, all activities undertaken in each phase adhere to and respect international law, including human rights-, humanitarian- and refugee law and the non refoulement principle, meaning that no rescued persons can be disembarked in a third country. Lt Cdr Eoin Smyth, OC LÉ Samuel Beckett, who has the responsibility of bringing his ship into the new mission dur- ing phase two, says, "This mission tackles the causes of the problems, not just the results, as part of the comprehensive EU strategy." He feels very strongly about the capabilities of his vessel and most of all about the ability of his crew, saying: "We have a fine ship with an excellent and experienced crew. We are more than capable of meeting any of the challenges and denying smugglers the opportunity of operating in our area of operations." One of the larger questions posed by Operation Sophia and other EU military- or capacity-building missions, such as EUCAP Somalia, is the progress of the EU towards deeper inte- gration. Despite the many different backgrounds, cultures and histories of the 27 members of the EU, it has achieved much in the integration of national interests since the 1950s. Specifically, in areas like the environment, economics, free movement for EU citizens, and monetary union, the integra- tion process has been hugely successful. Notwithstanding that success, the EU faces serious challenges to full integration in the area of defence and security, as many EU member states are adamantly opposed to such integration, arguing that it could sacrifice some state sovereignty, such as a state's inher- ent right to decide when to use force. Further, some of these member states suggest that the role of defence and security in Europe should be fulfilled by NATO, and that any attempt by the EU to integrate in this arena will challenge NATO and its role in the sustainment of peace in Europe. On the other hand, these same nations claim, quite vocally, that the EU should play a more dominant role in the international community. Moreover, that it should be able to influence how the international community deals with threats, challenges, and crises by offering a European instrument for crisis management. The challenge for the European Union then becomes how to integrate in the areas of defence and security without undermining the role of NATO and the sovereignty of member states. These questions will be answered through sustained dialogue at both national and European levels. The questions answered by Irish naval crews serving with Operation Sophia will, while still complex from an operational context, be slightly simpler. They will serve under the EU flag as it streams from their mast, while proudly bearing Óglaigh na hÉireann on the their chest, with the tricolour on their shoulders and stern. They will answer these questions with their professionalism, their hard work and their commitment to their ship and their shipmates; holding their own beside the largest navies in Europe, on the front line, working to stop those who profit from the desperate, to disrupt the trade of illicit arms that fuels conflict, and to stem the flow of pilfered oil that deprives the Libyan nation of much-needed revenue. They will help to establish, and then keep, the peace, as Irish military men and women have been doing for 60 years. www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 45

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