Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 162: To ask the Minister for Defence if Irish soldiers have been involved in training Iraqi soldiers in the recent past in San Remo, Italy; the number of soldiers involved; and the mandate under which they were operating. [35031/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The International Institute of Humanitarian Law, which has its headquarters in San Remo, Italy, was founded in 1970 as a private, independent and non-profit organisation with the primary objective of promoting the application, development and dissemination of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in all its dimensions and to contribute to the safeguard and respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the world. Irish Defence Forces personnel have participated in the activities of the Institute since its foundation and have instructed on international courses conducted by the Institute.

In recent years the Institute has conducted courses on IHL specifically for Iraqi participants, both in San Remo and in Iraq. In November 2006 one (1) Irish officer instructed on such a course in San Remo, for 25 Iraqi civilian, police and military personnel on the subjects of Human Rights and the Rule of Law. To date no other Irish Defence Forces personnel have participated in the training of Iraqi personnel in San Remo.