Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 875: To ask the Minister for Defence the number and countries of origin of soldiers who have received training from the Defence Forces in 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21133/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The number and countries of origin of soldiers who have attended educational courses conducted by the Defence Forces in 2005, 2006 and to date in 2007 are as follows:

In general, educational courses are provided in the United Nations Training School which is part of the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh, County Kildare. These high-level educational courses are directed at the role of national Armed Forces in the sphere of international peacekeeping duties under the direct auspices of the United Nations or with UN mandated multinational missions. Ireland has a well deserved and quite outstanding international reputation in this area of international peacekeeping operations. The course modules and content covering standards of international law and human rights standards and criteria are set out in common for all participants, regardless of their State of origin. The Defence Forces are happy to be in a position to provide this exemplary professional training. The Defence Forces syllabi reflect the full range of contemporary developments in International Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law and the various specific humanitarian issues that may arise in theatre-specific circumstances.