John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 28: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the latest discussions he has held with his European counterparts with regard to the development of new EU battlegroup formations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25137/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 71: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress which has been made in negotiations to join the Nordic battlegroup; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25205/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 71 together.

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 2006 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.

The legal, operational and other issues surrounding participation in battlegroups were considered by an interdepartmental working group established by the Minister for Defence, which included representatives of my own Department. The report of the working group was considered by the Cabinet Committee on European Affairs and, informally, by the Government. Following this report, my colleague the Minister for Defence decided to introduce legislation to amend the Defence Acts. On 20 June 2006, the Government approved the introduction of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2006, which was debated in the Seanad on 27-28 June and will be debated in the Dáil on 5 July 2006.

Regarding our possible participation in the Nordic Battlegroup, my colleague, the Minister for Defence informed the House on 22 June 2006 that the consultations with Sweden, including technical discussions on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and on the specific nature of our contribution, are continuing. Any decision on a specific contribution to the Nordic, or any other, battlegroup would, of course, be subject to formal Government approval.