John Gormley
Question:69 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Defence if he will elaborate on the NATO nuclear biological and chemical defence basic course which is part of our Partnership for Peace Work Programme. [9078/01]
Written Answers. - Nuclear Biological and Chemical Defence.
For many years, Ireland has contributed to international efforts to prohibit, control and eliminate nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. Ireland is a signatory to the Biological and Toxic Weapons Convention, the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Non-Proliferation Treaty and is an active participant in all meetings relevant to the achievement of the goals of these international agreements.
As part of Ireland's individual partnership programme, IPP, for 2001, a member of the Defence Forces was nominated to attend as a student at the NATO nuclear biological and chemical, NBC defence basic course in Oberammergau, Germany. The aim of the course was to teach students the basic concepts, procedures and responses to defend against the risks associated with NBC weapons. Major emphasis is placed on individual protection drills and procedures.
My Department was subsequently advised by the NATO school that this course had been cancelled and as yet no date has been fixed for the re-scheduling of the course.