Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals in regard to the Defence Forces participating in EU battlegroups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35866/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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With regard to Ireland's participation in future Battlegroups, we are committed in principle to participation in the Nordic Battlegroup (NBG), which will be on stand-by for the first six (6) months of 2011. Other contributors to the Nordic Battlegroup are Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway and Estonia.

Informal discussions have also taken place between staff in the Department of Defence and representatives from Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) regarding Ireland's possible participation in the proposed Austrian/German Battlegroup. This Battlegroup will be on stand-by for the second six (6) months of 2012.