Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Defence the military equipment required for Ireland's participation in the new EU battle groups. [14797/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Defence the military equipment required for Ireland's participation in the EU rapid reaction force. [14798/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 288 together.

Defence and defence policy is a fundamental expression of national sovereignty. In that context, defence spending is a matter for the Government and has to be undertaken in a prudent and balanced fashion having due regard to the prevailing national socio-economic environment.

The Government's White Paper on Defence, published in February 2000, set out a medium-term strategy for defence up to 2010. A major objective of the strategy is to ensure that Ireland has a world class military organisation capable of carrying out the roles assigned to it by the Government, both at home and abroad. This objective requires an ongoing modernisation process, including an investment programme to ensure that the Defence Forces are properly equipped for these roles. This investment programme is necessary regardless of Ireland's participation in the European Security and Defence Policy.

A particular focus of the investment programme has been on upgrading equipment for our overseas peace support operations. The Defence Forces undertake excellent work on overseas missions. In this regard, it has been noted that the Defence Forces' contingents in major missions in Liberia and Kosovo are the best equipped and best prepared contingents ever sent overseas.

I have established an interdepartmental working group to examine all issues relating to the Defence Forces possible participation in EU rapid response elements or EU battle groups. Among the issues to be examined by the group will be the question of costs, including any further investment required in equipment or other facilities. However, having regard to the substantial programme of investment over the past several years, I do not expect a requirement for additional equipment investment arising directly from Ireland's participation in the EU rapid reaction force or from any potential participation in EU rapid response elements.