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EU Battlegroups

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 December 2012

Wednesday, 12 December 2012

Questions (19, 26)

Seán Fleming

Question:

19. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Defence his plans regarding Ireland’s future participation in Battlegroup missions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54783/12]

View answer

Mick Wallace

Question:

26. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence his plans for Irish troops to participate in more EU Battlegroups in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54758/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 26 together.

The EU has the capability to deploy forces at high readiness, broadly based on the Battlegroup concept. The purpose of the EU Battlegroups is to provide a rapid level of response to developing international crises, allowing the EU to intervene during the critical early stages or to reinforce an existing operation. To date, no Battlegroup has been deployed.

Participation in Battlegroups is just one of a number of ways in which Ireland contributes to the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy. Ireland participated in the Nordic Battlegroup, which was on standby during the first six months of 2011, and previously participated in the Nordic Battlegroup in 2008. In 2010, the then Government approved Ireland’s participation in the Austro-German Battlegroup, which is currently on stand-by for six months until the end of 2012. The other members of the Austro-German Battlegroup are Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM).

Two invitations have been received by Ireland to participate in future EU Battlegroups. One invitation has been received to participate in the Nordic Battlegroup 2015, together with Sweden, acting as Framework Nation, Finland, Norway and Estonia. The second invitation has been received to participate in the EU Battlegroup 2016, with Germany, acting as Framework Nation, Luxembourg, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Discussions are ongoing with both the participants in both groups on Ireland’s potential contribution to these future Battlegroups. In principle, I support Ireland’s continued participation. However, any participation will be subject to formal Government approval at the appropriate time.

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