Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Minister for Defence if special training will be required for Irish troops participating in EU battlegroups; the nature of such training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7583/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Defence if Irish troops serving on EU missions will require an upgrade of military equipment or training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7591/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 174 together.

Significant investment has been made in Defence Forces equipment in recent years to provide them with the most modern equipment to undertake the tasks assigned to them by Government. The upgrading of their equipment, which is continuing, is designed to ensure that the Defence Forces have the necessary equipment to undertake specific roles, including supporting Chapter VII missions under the charter of the UN, involving robust peacekeeping and peace-making.

I do not envisage the Defence Forces buying any particular equipment in the context of its possible participation in battlegroups. Participation in battlegroups will not involve increased investment in the Defence Forces to acquire additional capabilities which are not central or key to our primary taskings in peace support operations, defence of the sovereign territory and support to the civil power and the civil authorities, as set out in the White Paper on Defence. Any offer to a battlegroup will be in the context of these capabilities.

In terms of training, some level of joint training with other battlegroup elements will be an imperative. The extent of any such joint training, any additional training requirements and whether training will extend to exercising is a matter for decision by battlegroup participants.