Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent of the training the Defence Forces have received with other European defence forces in preparation for the setting up of EU battle groups or rapid response forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32236/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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To reach the requisite level of interoperability, and taking account of the short timeframes envisaged for the deployment of the EU's rapid reaction elements, it would seem to me that the various forces and elements comprising a battle group would need to be familiar with the equipment, standard operating procedures, organisation and operations of the group as a whole. However, that does not lead to an inevitable conclusion that there is a requirement to undertake extensive overseas training. Defence Forces personnel have for many years attended workshops, training courses, desktop exercises, seminars and other events overseas as part of their military training, and I expect that they will continue to do so. The Defence Forces have also attended training courses and workshops under PfP PARP, the purpose of which is to learn from best practice in other Defence Forces. It includes improving the level of interoperability between forces in the context of peace support operations and the Petersberg Tasks. Whether possible participation in battle groups would change that situation is one of the issues to be considered by the Government in the context of the report of the interdepartmental group examining the issue of battle groups, which I expect to receive shortly.