Written answers
Wednesday, 12 December 2012
Department of Defence
EU Battlegroups
Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence his plans regarding Ireland’s future participation in Battlegroup missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54783/12]
Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Defence his plans for Irish troops to participate in more EU Battlegroups in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54758/12]
Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 26 together.
The EU has the capability to deploy forces at high readiness, broadly based on the Battlegroup concept. The purpose of the EU Battlegroups is to provide a rapid level of response to developing international crises, allowing the EU to intervene during the critical early stages or to reinforce an existing operation. To date, no Battlegroup has been deployed.
Two invitations have been received by Ireland to participate in future EU Battlegroups. One invitation has been received to participate in the Nordic Battlegroup 2015, together with Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway and Estonia. The second invitation has been received to participate in the EU Battlegroup 2016, with Germany, acting as Framework Nation, Luxembourg, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Discussions are ongoing with both the participants in both groups on Ireland’s potential contribution to these future Battlegroups. In principle, I support Ireland’s continued participation. However, any participation will be subject to formal Government approval at the appropriate time.
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