Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 374: To ask the Minister for Defence the position in regard to the development and participation in EU or UN sponsored RAPID response forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25235/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 385: To ask the Minister for Defence the discussions he has had with his UN or EU colleagues in the matter of participation by Irish personnel in battlegroups or rapid response forces at various locations in Europe or elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25246/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 385 together.

Ireland participated in the Nordic Battlegroup (NBG), which was on standby from 1 January 2008 to 30 June 2008. The other members of the Nordic Battlegroup were Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway and Estonia. The Defence Forces contribution to the NBG was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (EOD/IEDD) contingent with its own security detail. Battlegroups have been on standby in the European Union since 1 January 2007. To date no Battlegroup has been deployed.

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. Government approval will be required before participation in either Battlegroup is finalised.

There are no proposals at this time to participate in any other battlegroup or rapid response forces. Among the objectives of the EU battlegroup is to be able to respond in support of a UN mission, to act as an initial entry force or to reinforce an existing mission. While no battlegroup has been deployed to date, all ESDP military missions launched by the European Union have been in support of the UN and under a UN mandate.