Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 5

Written Answers. - Partnership for Peace.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

102 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces involved in training or manoeuvres with other European Defence Forces arising from participation in the Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18452/01]

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

106 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree to which the Permanent Defence Forces have received an upgrading in training and equipment arising from Partnership for Peace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18456/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 102 and 106 together.

Ireland's approach to participation in Partnership for Peace, PfP, was set out in the Presentation Document of 1 December 1999, which was approved by this House. The Presentation Document included the five priority areas of co-operation on international peacekeeping, humani tarian operations, search and rescue, co-operation in the protection of the environment and co-operation in marine matters.

It will be recalled that participation in PfP is entirely voluntary and is based on the principle of self-differentation, that is, a state selects for itself the nature and scope of its participation in PfP activities.

Questions Nos. 103 and 104 answered with Question No. 58.

Question No. 105 withdrawn.

Question No. 106 answered with Question No. 102.

Question No. 107 answered with Question No. 10.