Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Defence the section of the Irish Defence forces which will provide the 120 Irish troops being considered for deployment to any future involvement in EU battlegroups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32047/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Forces have looked at a number of options in terms of their contribution to rapid reaction forces under the Helsinki headline goal. I am not sure where the Deputy got the figure of 120 troops in the context of battlegroups. While I have yet to receive the report of the interdepartmental group, which is examining the issue of battlegroups, my understanding is that the Defence Forces have identified a palette of offers which they could contribute. In the event of a positive decision by the Government to the Defence Forces participation in a battlegroup, it will be necessary to enter into discussions with potential partners in relation to the nature and scale of our contribution. Until then it is impossible to say what the size of the commitment would be and where it will come from.