Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 525: To ask the Minister for Defence the position in relation to soldiers being detailed to EU battle groups; the selection process; if participation in such groups will be voluntary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7305/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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A Battlegroup is simply another vehicle under which the Defence Forces may participate in UN mandated peace support operations and humanitarian tasks. As such, the current standing arrangements for the selection of members of the Defence Forces to participate in overseas peace support missions will continue to apply.

While all members of the Permanent Defence Force are liable for overseas service, subject to the provisions of the Defence Acts, the despatch of any personnel on overseas missions, including peace support operations, is undertaken, as far as possible, on a voluntary basis. However, from time to time it is necessary to detail persons for overseas service, mainly in areas where specific technical skills are in short supply. The Government's policy of continuous recruitment to the Defence Forces has resulted in recent times in a significant increase in the number of volunteers for overseas service and the requirement to detail personnel is very much the exception. The Defence (Amendment) Act, 2006 retained the provision of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1993, that personnel who enlisted prior to the enactment of that Act, cannot be detailed to serve on UN mandated operations other than operations which are of a police character. However, such personnel may volunteer for service on UN missions, which are not of a police character.

The criteria for selection of volunteers for overseas service are broadly as follows:

(i) Competence and suitability.

(ii) Professional expertise.

(iii) Recommendations from reporting officers.

(iv) Seniority.

(v) Health and age.

(vi) Family and social considerations.

In relation to the Nordic Battlegroup, the plan is to contribute between 80 to 100 personnel to this Battlegroup. Ireland's contribution will be an Explosive Ordnance and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal Team together with an Engineer Search Team, a protection detail and some staff officers. The process of personnel selection for the contingent has recently commenced, with the Western Brigade providing the major element of the contingent.