Vol. 538 No. 5
3 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence if suitable manoeuvre space for conventional mechanised unit level tactical training, that is, offensive or defensive tactical doctrine by battalion or battalion group size, is available on lands owned by the Department of Defence; the locations at which he proposes to conduct such training in advance of the Headline Goal 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17630/01]
There are extensive training areas available to the Defence Forces at the Glen of Imaal and Kilworth, County Cork, which meet most of their tactical training needs. The question of providing additional areas on an ad hoc basis for particular training needs in light of the acquisition of modern equipment is one that the military authorities are actively considering. I have not as yet received any proposals from them in this regard.
Will the Minister outline to the Houses what training needs are not currently met by the locations that are available as detailed by him? Is he still committed to advancing the Headline Goal 2003 as envisaged in the context of the Rapid Reaction Force and our participating in a comprehensive and co-ordinated European approach to implementing the Petersberg Tasks?
I am continuing in the strongest possible way to support the military authorities in their preparation to meet whatever requirements will arise from the Petersberg Tasks in peacekeeping, crisis management and humanitarian tasks. That has been one of the reasons we have become involved in a significant acquisition programme to place the Defence Forces in a position to have a more flexible approach to the type of missions that can be undertaken and to address the paramount concern of the safety and security of our personnel in these peacekeeping, humanitarian and crisis management tasks.
From time to time the Defence Forces require additional space, that is land space. From the preliminary advice I have, it is not necessary that these lands would be owned by the Defence Forces on a long-term basis because some of their needs can be met by a temporary lease and the use of lands for short periods for the type of training exercises that cannot be met on our existing lands. We have 6,600 acres in the Glen of Imaal and it is probably one of the finest training areas one could find. It is used almost every day of the year for the various training that is going on.
I am waiting for the military authorities to indicate to me what their additional requirements may be. The information I have is their requirements can be met without the need for large scale acquisition of land but by way of temporary leases. Additional space would be required for a specific time and then it may be required a year later or whenever.
In the context of the Minister's repeated commitment to the work that is now being done in this area, can I take it that despite the outcome of the Nice referendum, the Government remains fully committed to our participating on a European basis in the European Rapid Reaction Force that is being put in place to deal with humanitarian tasks and peacekeeping and peace making, that the Government's commitment in that regard is as steadfast as it was prior to the Nice referendum, and that the work the Minister referred to will continue in co-operation with our Defence Forces?
There is absolutely no change in Government policy in that regard. As I said during the week in McKee Barracks, in the poorest of times this country sent out troops to help restore peace and normality in different parts of the world. It would be strange in much better times if we were to renege on what is a fundamental part of our foreign policy. We normally go into an area after war and conflict. Everywhere we have gone we have been welcomed. We have never been the aggressor. We understand oppression and difficulties and are able to contribute in a significant way not only in a military capacity but in our attitude, approach, impartiality and acceptance to do that work, which we will continue to do.
In the context of Government policy on this area, since the Nice referendum has the Minister consulted and sought the views of his Cabinet colleagues, such as, the Minister for Arts Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Deputy de Valera, the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Cuív, the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, and the Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, to ascertain whether they have the same commitment as that which the Minister is voicing to the Rapid Reaction Force?
In the context of the Minister's response, I draw to his attention that the Glen of Imaal and Kilworth are not suitable for mechanised training and he might indicate when he expects the Defence Forces to come back to him with proposals for alternative locations for the training that is envisaged in the context of our participating in this force and our troops having the training required to enable them to do so.
I expect that the military authorities will report back to me fairly quickly, certainly within the next few months. They are engaged, as we are, from time to time in a search for suitable territory for training of that kind.
I have had no discussions with the colleagues mentioned by the Deputy. I assure him that the Government's policy is firm and has not been driven off course. The essential work we do in this area will be carried on. He need have no fears of any derailment in peacekeeping, humanitarian tasks and work of that kind as far as the Irish Defence Forces are concerned. Evidence of that has already been given today in terms of our immediate response to the United Nations request to us concerning Ethiopia and Eritrea.
