Defence Forces Operations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016

Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Questions (570)

Bríd Smith

Question:

570. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he shares the sentiments of his counterpart in Finland, the Finnish Defence Minister, Jussi Niinistö, who recently stated that he supports reform of Finnish law to provide a legal mandate to expand the Finnish Defence Forces ability to participate in European wide international crisis management; and if those who opposed Ireland's participation in the United Kingdom led battle group which also had Finnish participation would be concerned with this statement in view of general concerns regarding the use and purpose of such battle groups. [16782/16]

Written answers

Taoiseach and Minister for Defence (Deputy Enda Kenny)

I am given to understand that the changes proposed relate solely to matters where bi-lateral assistance is requested of Finland or where Finland may wish to offer such bi-lateral assistance in specific circumstances. The intention is to expand the Finnish Defence Forces' legal mandate to include providing and accepting international assistance.

As the Deputy will appreciate it is a matter for individual States including Finland and Ireland to determine their particular Security and Defence policies and arrangements. Ireland’s Defence Policy is clearly set out in the White Paper on Defence which was published last July. At this time there are no plans or identified requirements for legislative change to give effect to Ireland’s international security and defence policy as provided for in the White Paper. In addition, developments in relation to Finland’s security and defence policy have no impact on our participation in EU Battlegroups, nor on the role or operational deployment of EU Battlegroups.