I propose to take Question Nos. 141 and 149 together.
I refer the Deputies to my reply to the House in response to Parliamentary Question No. 39 on 12 December 2002.
The Defence Forces have not been involved in PfP joint manoeuvres or military field exercises on the ground with other PfP nations' military units. Participation in Partnership for Peace, PfP, activities is entirely voluntary and is based on the principle of self-differentiation, that is, a State selects for itself the nature and scope of its participation.
In the context of PfP, Ireland has participated in a number of crisis management exercises and technical workshops. Our participation has been in the planning phases, at a technical level, at observer level and at staff level appointments in multinational headquarters, the main focus being to enhance inter-operability and familiarity with operating procedures in a multinational environment.