Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 611: To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which he has had discussions with his EU colleagues in the context of European defence or security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6776/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am constantly in touch with my EU colleagues both in the context of European Defence and Security and other matters. Two official meeting of EU Defence Ministers are held during each six month EU Presidency. These present the opportunity to engage in bi-lateral meetings with my Defence colleagues. The most recent meeting was the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting in Brussels on 19 November 2007. I attended this meeting where the discussions covered a wide range of European Defence and Security issues. I am also kept abreast of issues arising from meetings which officials from my Department attend to discuss European Defence and Security.

I also avail of other opportunities to facilitate discussions with my EU colleagues. During my visit to Sweden on 7 November 2007 to attend the Final Exercise (FINEX) of the Nordic Battlegroup, I held discussions with the Defence Ministers of Sweden, Finland, Norway and Estonia, the other four nations contributing to the Battlegroup.