Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his intentions in regard to the participation in EU battlegroups and emergency relief initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3125/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he expects to support or contribute to an EU rapid reaction or relief force or group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3127/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 243 together.

A major challenge for the EU is to ensure that it is able to respond rapidly and flexibly to crisis situations overseas. In this context the Union is taking forward the development of both civilian and military capabilities.

The battlegroups-rapid response elements concept has been under development in the European Union for some time. From the outset of the establishment of the European security and defence policy, ESDP, in 1999, it has been envisaged that, in order to carry out the full range of so-called Petersberg Tasks, the EU's crisis management capabilities would need to include rapid response elements, available and deployable at very high readiness.

The Minister for Defence has already outlined to the House the parameters of the Government's position in terms of a possible Irish contribution to rapid response elements. After consideration by the Government, Ireland indicated at the Military Capabilities Commitment Conference in November 2004 that we were prepared to enter into consultations with partners with a view to potential participation. An important element of such consultations includes discussions at Foreign Minister level. I have already held bilateral political consultations with both my Swedish and Finnish counterparts, which took place in Stockholm and Helsinki last week. In addition, an interdepartmental group, which includes representatives of my Department, the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and the Attorney General's office, has been established to examine the policy, legislative and operational issues arising from possible participation. The consultation process and the report of the interdepartmental group will enable the Government to make a fully informed decision on Ireland's participation in rapid response elements.

Regarding emergency relief iniatives, EU member states over the coming weeks and months will discuss how best to be able to respond to international disasters. A central question is whether such responses should focus on existing arrangements, such as the Community mechanism for civil protection and ESDP civilian capabilities, or, through creating a new rapid response structure.

Ireland has consistently supported the development of the EU's civilian capabilities to respond to crisis situations, both in respect of natural disasters, such as the Asian tsunami, and in the context of conflict and post-conflict scenarios. We have committed civilian resources through both the Community mechanism for civil protection and, more broadly, through the civilian capabilities commitment process under the ESDP. These resources range from police capabilities to rule of law experts to civil protection personnel.

We are fully committed to continuing to play our part in enhancing the EU's civilian capabilities, including through contributing to any new rapid response civilian structures that may be developed. Together with my Government colleagues, I will examine what additional capabilities Ireland can make available in response to humanitarian crises.