Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 612: To ask the Minister for Defence if joint training exercises have been undertaken by the Defence Forces with the other armies involved in the Nordic battle group since its inception; and if so the cost of same. [12339/10]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In July 2009, the Government approved Ireland's participation in the Swedish-led Nordic Battlegroup 2011. The Nordic Battlegroup 2011 will be on standby for 6 months commencing on the 1st January 2011. To date Ireland has deployed four Officers to serve in staff posts at the Force Headquarters in Enkoping, Sweden and these officers took up their duties on the 28th August 2009.

The Nordic Battlegroup 2011 has not undertaken any military exercises to date. Consequently, no costs have been incurred by the Department of Defence in respect of this Battlegroup.

Due to industrial action it has not been possible to compile the costs of the training exercises conducted with the Nordic Battlegroup 2008 in Sweden and the Minister will communicate further with the Deputy when this information is to hand.