Dáil debates
Tuesday, 21 June 2016
Other Questions
EU Battle Groups
7:15 pm
Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source
I am not aware of any war games that the Irish Defence Forces have participated in. I assure the Deputy, again, that our participation has no effect on our traditional policy of military neutrality. I am not aware, so far as I understand, that military training of that type is carried out in any battle group. I actually visited a battle group back in 2012 and I can assure the Deputy that the experience the Irish Defence Forces receive from a battle group, and which they can bring back home, is very beneficial to our military organisation, especially for those members who work with other like-minded countries. I understand the Deputy might have his own concerns, but the term "battle group" is unfortunate as it does send out the wrong message about what it is exactly we are participating in.
No comments