Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 64: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received the report presented to the EU by the centre for strategic and international studies, European Defence integration, which is due to be debated in the EU in October 2005 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32048/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Ireland participates in the European Defence Agency which is charged with supporting the development of capabilities in relation to battlegroups and the headline goal, supporting collaboration and rationalisation in the European defence equipment market and increasing the effectiveness of European defence expenditure, particularly in the area of research and technology. The centre for strategic and international studies is a Washington based think tank. It has no connection to the EU and as such its reports are not debated or considered formally by the EU. I have not received the report referred to, which I understand was prepared by two retired NATO generals. However, if there is anything of substance in the report on European defence integration, no doubt the agency will reflect on the views of the centre, as presented in its report, and bring forward its own proposals to the steering board of the agency, if such is warranted.