Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Following Government approval, Ireland will participate in the Nordic battle group in 2015 and the German led battle group in 2016. The Nordic battle group will comprise Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway, Estonia and possibly Lithuania and Latvia. The German led battle group will comprise Germany, acting as Framework Nation, Luxembourg, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. The planned Defence Forces contribution to each battle group will be a reconnaissance company and related combat support elements. It is also planned that Ireland will also take command of a multinational reconnaissance group headquarters, providing Ireland with a more significant role within these battle groups. The total number of Defence Forces personnel involved in both the Nordic and German led EU battle groups will be approximately 175. However, this level of resource commitment will only arise should the battle group be called on to undertake an operation and should Ireland agree to participate. The number of personnel involved leading up to and during the standby period may be in the region of 14 for the Nordic battle group and ten for the German led battle group. These personnel, mainly staff officers and NCOs, will be engaged in training and planning activities serving in various appointments and posts.

Any deployments of the above battle groups would be subject to the triple lock.

Participation in EU battle groups underlines our commitment to the development of CSDP and enables us to continue to contribute effectively to UN-authorised EU military and civilian crisis management operations in support of international peace and security.

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