Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Defence the steps he proposes to take to increase the Defence Forces having regard to continued commitments overseas on UN missions and likely commitments arising from EU, Partnership for Peace or rapid response and battle group commitments in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38417/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Defence if a decision has been made regarding the likely strength of Irish involvement in future Partnership for Peace, rapid response or battle group forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38418/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 247 and 248 together.

The White Paper on Defence of February 2000 sets out a figure of 10,500 personnel for the Permanent Defence Force, comprising 930 for the Air Corps, 1,144 for the Naval Service and 8,426 for the Army. It is my intention to maintain the established Government policy of ongoing recruitment to the Defence Forces. Recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force will continue to maintain the strength at the level set out in the White Paper as required to meet military needs both at home and abroad.

Ireland has offered, through the UN standby arrangements system, UNSAS, to provide up to 850 military personnel configured as a light infantry mounted battalion for overseas service at any one time. This figure equates to some 10% of Ireland's standing Army — excluding Reserves — and demonstrates Ireland's commitment to the cause of international peace. This is the maximum sustainable commitment that Ireland can make to overseas peacekeeping operations. There are no plans at this time to increase the level of our commitment to UNSAS and any commitment to EU led operations or to battle groups will be met from within the existing UNSAS arrangement.

Ireland supports the development of the EU's rapid response capability in support of UN authorised missions and is positively disposed towards participation in the rapid response elements in this regard. However, it is important that the full implications of our participation are assessed and, to this end, I established an interdepartmental group which includes representatives of my Department, the Defence Forces, the Taoiseach's Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Attorney General's office to consider the policy, legislative and operational issues arising from participation. I received the report from the interdepartmental group last week and I am currently reviewing it. Once I have had an opportunity to consider the matter, I plan to consult the Minister for Foreign Affairs with a view to bringing proposals to the Government. In the event of a positive decision by the Government to Defence Forces participation in a battle group, it will be necessary to enter into discussions with potential partners with regard to the nature and scale of our contribution. Until then, it is not possible to say what the size of our commitment might be.