Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to Irish participation in new EU battle group formations; the Irish commitment to be given to the Nordic battle group formation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19561/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The ambition of the EU to be able to respond quickly to emerging crises has, and continues to be, a key objective of the development of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). An important aspect of ESDP is the development of a standby military rapid response capacity, in the form of Battlegroups. Almost all EU Member States have already made a commitment to contribute to a specific battlegroup formation. Apart from Ireland, the only countries which have not done so are Denmark, which is in a special position due to its opt-out in this area, and Malta. Ireland has indicated to its EU partners a positive disposition to taking part in battlegroups.

As I have previously reported to the House, a delegation consisting of representatives from the Departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs and the Defence Forces met with their Swedish counterparts in Stockholm on 10 March to discuss possible participation by the Defence Forces in the Nordic battlegroup, which is due to be on standby during the first half of 2008. Our representatives outlined Ireland's position in relation to battlegroup participation and international peacekeeping generally and gave a presentation on the capabilities which Ireland could make available to a battlegroup.

This offer is still being formally considered by Sweden, which is the Framework Nation for the Nordic battlegroup, and its partners. However, I understand from my colleague the Minister for Defence, that the feedback from Sweden's consultations with its partners on the possibility of Irish participation in the Nordic battlegroup was positive and that discussions are intensifying at official level with a view to an early and positive conclusion. Any decision on a specific contribution to the Nordic, or any other, battlegroup would be subject to formal Government approval.