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Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 May 2022

Thursday, 12 May 2022

Ceisteanna (224)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces here will receive training comparable to other Defence Forces throughout Europe in respect of non-aligned neutral and aligned countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24057/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The 2015 White Paper on Defence frames the delivery of training and education in the Defence Forces as one of the most important outputs of the organisation. Training and Education remain central to capability development and are key elements of the five pillars of the Defence Capability Framework. Through the provision of military capability, the Defence Forces achieves its mission to defend Ireland and its assigned interests internationally.

The primary focus of the Defence Forces, when not engaged on operations, is training and preparation. The appropriate training for all Defence Forces Formations and Units is based on conventional military doctrine to prepare them for the roles laid down by Government. The Defence Forces deliver military programmes and modules of training meeting national and international standards encompassing both academic and military best practice. The Defence Forces also engage with external national and international educational institutions, both military and civilian, to ensure that Defence Forces training is in line with international best practice.

Adherence to such international best practice ensures the levels of modernisation, transformation and interoperability required for the Defence Forces to deploy successfully on peacekeeping missions. NATO has become the standard-setting organisation for modern military forces and NATO standards include a wide-ranging set of specifications including detailed training standards and operational procedures. The continued participation by Ireland in NATO’s Partnership For Peace mechanism ensures that the Defence Forces have the necessary interoperable capabilities to participate in modern demanding peacekeeping operations alongside other European Military Forces, including those from like-minded states.

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