Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
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12. To ask the Minister for Defence the State's commitment to participation in EU battlegroups in terms of the likely cost to the State; and the number of Defence Forces personnel that will be involved over the next five years. [5577/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Following Government approval, Ireland will participate in the Nordic Battlegroup in 2015 and the German led Battlegroup in 2016. The Nordic Battlegroup will comprise Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway, Estonia and possibly Lithuania and Latvia. The German led Battlegroup will comprise Germany, acting as Framework Nation, Luxembourg, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. The planned Defence Forces contribution to each Battlegroup will be a Reconnaissance Company and related combat support elements. It is also planned that Ireland will also take command of a multinational Reconnaissance Group Headquarters, providing Ireland with a more significant role within these Battlegroups.

The total number of Defence Forces personnel involved in both the Nordic and German led EU Battlegroups will be approximately 175. However, this level of resource commitment will only arise should the Battlegroup be called on to undertake an operation and should Ireland agree to participate. The number of personnel involved leading up to and during the standby period may be in the region of 14 for the Nordic Battlegroup and 10 for the German led EU Battlegroup. These personnel, mainly staff officers and NCOs, will be engaged in training and planning activities serving in various appointments and posts.

The current estimated costs for participation in both Battlegroups will be approximately €2 million over a period of three years. This will be met from within the existing Defence Vote The estimated additional cost for a maximum 120 day Battlegroup deployment is €10.7 million which covers transportation of troops and equipment, accommodation, recovery of troops etc. This additional cost will only arise if the Battlegroup is deployed. Any deployment would be subject to the “Triple Lock”.

Participation in EU Battlegroups underlines our commitment to the development of CSDP and enables us to continue to contribute effectively to UN-authorised EU military and civilian crisis management operations in support of international peace and security.