Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Defence

Overseas Missions

11:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 519: To ask the Minister for Defence the outcome of discussions he has had with his EU colleagues or UN representatives in the matter of Irish participation in EU or UN-sponsored peacekeeping or peace enforcement missions in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12268/06]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 522: To ask the Minister for Defence the outcome of recent discussions he has had with his EU colleagues in regard to the composition of EU controlled peacekeeping or peace enforcement groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12271/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 522 together.

I assume the Deputy is referring to discussions on EU battle groups. Discussions with other like-minded nations on a potential contribution by Ireland to a battle group have now commenced. A delegation consisting of representatives from my Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Defence Forces met their Swedish counterparts in Stockholm on 9-10 March to discuss possible participation by the Defence Forces in the Nordic battle group. My intention would be to discuss our options with a range of countries, in particular like-minded nations. We have also had informal exploratory discussions with Finland and Austria. Apart from these discussions, I have had no other discussions with my EU colleagues or UN representatives in the matter of Irish participation in EU or UN-sponsored peacekeeping or peace enforcement missions in the future.

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