Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 120: To ask the Minister for Defence if EU battlegroup exercises involving foreign armies will be allowed to take place here as part of our EU battlegroups commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17184/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which members of the Irish Defence Forces have participated in EU or NATO lead or inspired, military training exercises in anticipation of EU battlegroup or PFP engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17015/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 120 and 124 together.

I am advised by the Attorney General that there is a constitutional impediment to the training and exercising of foreign troops in Ireland and, as such, there are no plans for the training of foreign troops in this country. It is expected that training for EU Battlegroups will normally take place in the country of the lead or framework nation. As Ireland is not a framework nation, the situation of foreign troops exercising in Ireland will not, therefore, arise.

As part of its study into possible participation in Battlegroups, the Interdepartmental Group recommended some changes to current legislation in light of the need for increased interoperability and training so that Irish troops can be more effective and more efficient once deployed. Overseas training, where our Defence Forces can learn from best practice in other countries, is essential to the development and maintenance of high standards in the military, and our existing peace support operations, where we work alongside many other armies. In this regard, in the proposed amendments to the Defence Acts, I plan to provide for participation by the Defence Forces in training and exercises abroad.