Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Defence the reason two members of the Army, as reported in a publication (details supplied) attended a three week All-arms Tactical Targeting Course conducted by the British army in Wiltshire, England; the purpose of the course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2934/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Forces are required to maintain the highest standards in preparation for meeting the roles assigned to them by Government, including participation in multinational peace support operations.

The Royal School of Artillery runs an All Arms Tactical Targeting (AATT) Course at its training camp in Larkhill, Wiltshire. Two junior officers from the Permanent Defence Force were students on a recent AATT Course there. Both officers serve in artillery roles.

The AATT Course offers students of different nationalities, various ranks and varying experience, the opportunity to learn the targeting process to the point where they would be competent members of a Brigade Headquarters targeting cell. The majority of students have a background in artillery.

This course has offered the Defence Forces exposure to the most up-to-date information available in targeting and also the experience of exercising with contemporary operating procedures.