Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Defence if all Irish troops serving on peacekeeping or stabilisation missions have had opportunity to train with EU and UN personnel to achieve standards compatible with other troops on such missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35145/09]

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 UN and EU partners. For example the Defence Forces took part in Exercise Illuminated Summer in Autumn 2007, as part of the main interoperability exercise, during Ireland's membership of the Nordic Battlegroup 2008. The Defence Forces have also participated in a range of desktop and command post exercises based on realistic peacekeeping scenarios. Defence Forces training is based on and updated in accordance with best practice international training standards.

Ireland, in common with other neutral EU Member States who are members of Partnership for Peace (PfP), participates in the PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP) mechanism for planning in relation to peace support operations. The scope of Ireland's involvement in PARP is focussed on enhancing interoperability so that Defence Forces personnel can operate efficiently and effectively in a multinational environment. 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.