Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chairman. My contribution will be short because I was delighted to read the Minister's statement, which clarified some issues for me, but as a former Minister for Defence, I am deeply concerned that our image as peacekeepers should not be damaged by any titles or otherwise. It is very unfortunate that this group is termed a battle group. On reading the Minister's speech, it is clear that it is an extension of our peacekeeping missions. I wanted to intervene to ask the Minister to ask that the title given to these groups should not be "battle groups" as it immediately sends the wrong message and causes alarm bells to ring unnecessarily in terms of the role these people will be asked to perform.

We can argue here whether Ireland wants to be neutral or not. I believe strongly that Ireland should remain neutral. I strongly believe also that we can do more for peace in the world by upholding our great image and professionalism in peacekeeping. We have a peacekeeping college on the Curragh where people come from all parts of the world to learn about peacekeeping methods. That is vitally important for Ireland but it is very unfortunate that this group within the European Union should be entitled a battle group. If it is concerned with security and peacekeeping, that is different from a battle group. It rings alarm bells unnecessarily throughout the country, which is world renowned for its peacekeeping.

The purpose of my contribution is solely to ask the Minister to indicate, when replying, if efforts could be made to change the title of these groups which will, in fact, be engaged in peacekeeping exercises.

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