Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 453: To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which it has been found possible to allow the Naval Service train with other UN and EU forces in the context of likely future peacekeeping operations or missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18165/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Naval Service training plans are structured to provide the capabilities needed to execute the roles assigned to them under the White Paper on Defence. Priority is given to operational tasks in Ireland. However, the Naval Service also keeps abreast of developments at international level by regular attendance at training courses and seminars at home and abroad. This enables them to adjust their training schedules if necessary in order to maintain required standards. As a matter of standing policy, Naval Service assets are not deployed on overseas peace support operations and there are no plans to develop such capacity at this time. However, Naval Service personnel do serve in staff appointments in Peace Support Operations overseas and have done so for many years. In the context of these deployments, Naval Service personnel receive ongoing training to enable them to participate fully in UN, EU and other missions overseas.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 456: To ask the Minister for Defence the degree to which it has been found possible for members of the Defence Forces expected to be deployed on overseas duties under the aegis of the EU or UN to avail of training and technology available to their respective colleagues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18168/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Defence Forces receive ongoing training to enable them to participate fully in UN, EU and other missions overseas. Troops selected for overseas service undergo a rigorous programme of training, designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and to provide for their protection. Pre-deployment training is provided to members of the Permanent Defence Force and is updated on an ongoing basis in the light of any changes in the threat assessment or mission requirements.

The Defence Forces are also involved in interoperability training and technical developments in co-ordination with similar UN and EU partners. For example the Defence Forces took part in Exercise Illuminated Summer in Autumn 2008, as part of the main interoperability exercise, during Ireland's membership of the Nordic Battlegroup 2008. I am satisfied that Defence Forces personnel serving overseas receive, and will continue to receive, the necessary training to enable them to carry out their duties in a professional manner.