Vol. 553 No. 3
51 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if Army, Naval Service or Air Corps personnel have undergone or intend to undergo special training with defence forces in other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14075/02]
As part of its education and training policy the Defence Forces have, for many decades, conducted an active programme of overseas courses and visits to other defence forces. This programme is designed to meet a number of important Defence Forces training needs: doctrinal development which is maintained by attendance at command and staff courses abroad, for example in the UK, the USA and France; instructor capacity courses aim to maintain, update and multi-skill the Defence Forces instructor base and are attended primarily in the UK; PfP-EU interoperability means that there is a requirement to send personnel on courses abroad to develop within the Defence Forces a thorough awareness and familiarity with the PfP operational and logistical doctrine and the procedures required by units if they are to function effectively and efficiently as part of any future multinational peace support operation; and with regard to equipment, some courses and visits with other forces are designed to support expenditures on equipment already purchased.
This external programme of training encompasses personnel from all services, Army, Air Corps and the Naval Service. The programme is continuous as the ongoing need for new training arises with changes in policy, procedures and the purchase of new equipment.
The Army ranger wing also undergoes a number of specialised training courses with other armed forces.
An exchange visit of cadets will take place between the Belgian Military Academy and the Cadet School in July.
Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 46.
