Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Suffice it to say, Fianna Fáil supports Ireland's participation in the German battle group. In 2010, the most recent Fianna Fáil defence Minister, Mr. Tony Killeen, stated: "Ireland's participation in EU Battlegroups is a tangible means of showing our support for the EU as a provider of high quality peacekeepers to United Nations mandated operations." We as a party reject any assertion that taking part in battle groups undermines our neutrality. Rather, it is a way of bolstering our commitment to the United Nations. The UN is the third strand of the triple lock, to which we remain committed. We are strong and committed supporters of collective security through the UN. In 1945, when we first applied to join it, Éamon de Valera observed:

It is the small nations particularly that should welcome an organisation which is intended to give collective security. But the small nations, just like the big ones, will, if they become members of such an organisation, have to be really loyal members of it. They will have to make up their minds that the obligations which are necessary, if the organisation is to be successful, will be fulfilled and carried out.

The EU battle group is a way of fulfilling that commitment.

Our Defence Forces are keen to participate in battle groups. Ireland has a long tradition of overseas service in support of UN or UN-mandated deployments in pursuit of international peace and security since the first Defence Forces deployment abroad in 1958. We are all aware of the high level of pride in and public recognition of the work that our Defences Forces do. It is no harm to mention the work that our naval forces are currently engaged in in the Mediterranean. The Defence Forces also provide personnel to the EU stand-by battle group rapid response brigades, even though no EU battle group has to date deployed into a mandated mission.

Overseas service deployments by the Defence Forces are a pivotal element of Irish foreign policy and for the attainment of Defence Forces operational capability across a wide spectrum of challenging military, geopolitical and geostrategic environments. Defence Forces personnel of all ranks have and continue to excel in overseas deployments, be they at strategic, operational or tactical level. The continued participation of Defence Forces units, contingents and individual members is essential for individual and unit professional development, unit operational viability and cohesion.

When contingents deploy, they must be in formations of sufficient strength and composition that the leadership functions of all ranks and military specialisations are fully maximised. Deploying numbers of small units in different missions concurrently is not consistent with optimum operational capacity advancement or outputs once deployed. A mix over time of "ground holding" and "mission rapid reaction" unit operational postures is the most beneficial strategically to the Defence Forces and the missions on which they operate. The deployment of personnel from the Air Corps and the Naval Service in cohesive unit strength, along with their aircraft and ships as required, must be progressively and positively pursued as a means of contributing specialist unit capability to UN, UN-mandated or Chapter VIII missions.

Ongoing Defence Forces deployments in the Middle East, the Balkans and recently in Africa have increased linkages to Ireland's international wish to reinforce its political and diplomatic platforms and visibility, together with its concurrent economic and business connectivity and trade ambitions. This ambition and action is consistent with Ireland's place in the world as a valued and trusted United Nations and European Union member.

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