Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I thank Members who contributed to the debate and the members of the Select Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights, which discussed this issue last week, for their time and support for these memoranda. They made a number of interesting and useful comments and I trust I clarified issues that may have caused concern.

I reiterate a number of issues relating to the memoranda and the Nordic battle group. I appreciate the continued support voiced for the triple lock. Maintaining this requirement has been a consistent policy of the Government and Deputies can rest assured I do not intend to depart from it. The memorandum of understanding specifically recognises that a decision by a participant to commit to a mission is subject to national decision and in accordance with national constitutions, legislation and policy. For Ireland, this means a decision to deploy troops remains a national decision in each case and it is subject to the triple lock, notwithstanding any commitment to the battle group. Furthermore, concerns were rightly raised about participation in battle groups turning into an EU common defence. This is not, and never has been, the case. The Constitution clearly prevents Ireland from participating in a common defence. The purpose of battle groups is to improve the effectiveness of the EU in contributing to international peace and security and support of the UN by putting in place a rapid response capability.

Deputy Costello referred to the question of discipline and jurisdiction when Irish troops are on foreign soil and whether they would be the subject of a court martial by the military authorities of a foreign power. It is specifically provided for in the agreement that Irish troops will be subject to domestic military law and, therefore, they would be subject to an Irish court martial. The Northwood issue was also raised. Few buildings in Europe have the logistics, communications system, etc, to serve as operational headquarters for battle groups. There is one in Potsdam in Germany, which is being used as operational headquarters for the EU mission in the Congo.

Basing the operational headquarters for this battle group in the UK does not mean the UK will be involved in the chain of command. The UK authorities have given us a loan of the hall for the period of the battle group. Administrative staff at Northwood will provide assistance to those running the battle group but the commander will be a lieutenant general from Sweden and the operation will be commanded by the countries involved. I take Deputy Costello's point that a similar facility is not in place in the Nordic countries or in Ireland. On the other hand, the force headquarters will still be based in the framework nation, which is Sweden. If a battle group becomes operational, the headquarters will move to the theatre of operations.

Deputy Costello also asked about additional resources. I estimate that if the battle group is deployed for its maximum period of 120 days, it will cost €3 million. It will initially be deployed for 30 days and three extensions will need to be applied for to extend it to its maximum period. If the battle group remains on standby, the additional cost will be approximately €500,000. Deputy Costello asked me to undertake to carry out an assessment of how Ireland participates in the first battle group, whether it is on standby or deployed. If I can be Minister for Defence again when that happens I will be delighted to comply with that request.

Deputy Sargent said that the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, had said she wanted there to be a European army. To put it bluntly, I do not give a damn what Angela Merkel said. She is the same person who wanted to see Fine Gael head the next Government but she will be wrong about that too.

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