Dáil debates

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Other Questions

Defence Forces Training

3:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which military training and equipment is kept in pace with modern and international standards having particular regard to the need for compatibility during overseas missions for the EU or UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12074/11]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that the military training techniques are up to date in all respects. Defence Forces training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them by Government. The challenges of preparing military units for participation in international peace support operations constitute the major dimension of Defence Forces collective training. The primary focus of this training is the attainment of a capability for military interoperability in order to conduct peace support operations to international standards. Training standards in the Defence Forces are constantly benchmarked against best international practice and Defence Forces personnel have full access to the best international training standards available.

Defence Forces personnel have the most modern and effective range of equipment, including logistical equipment, to carry out their day-to-day roles at home and overseas. The priority in the coming years will be on maintaining the capability of the Defence Forces to deliver effective services across all of the roles assigned by Government.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Can the Minister confirm the degree to which the military equipment of our Defence Forces can interface with that used by other defence forces in the course of EU and UN operations? Given the necessity to ensure the safety of our Defence Forces while serving abroad we must make the maximum effort to obtain modern technology in equipping our forces.

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Interoperability between our Defence Forces and others with whom we engage in peacekeeping operations is of considerable importance in our UN operations and in the role we play in the European Union as part of a battle group and in dealing with issues relating to Partnership for Peace. That is a significant focus within the Defence Forces in the purchase of equipment and it will continue to be so. When we are engaged in peacekeeping missions with other partners there must be the fullest available co-ordination between our Defence Forces and others with whom we work, in peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions.

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I commend our forces for the excellent work they do abroad. However, recently there may have been a move within the European Union and the United Nations away from peacekeeping and humanitarian missions towards more aggressive policies, about which I have major concerns. Is there a change in direction?

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am unaware of the UN or our Defence Forces engaging in aggressive missions of any description. The primary focus is peacekeeping, peace enforcement, humanitarian intervention and conflict prevention. These are the central focus of our approach in the international context.

As the Deputy will know, we will shortly deploy 440 of our troops to southern Lebanon as part of a UNIFIL mission, which is a tradition within our Defence Forces, to contribute to peacekeeping in that area. We will go there on foot of a long-standing UN mission, in which we have previously participated, with a view to ensuring that conflict does not break out in those areas and that peace is maintained in the interests of the local population.