Ireland close to deal on troops for battle group

Ireland is close to finalising a deal so that between 80 and 100 troops will be available for a Nordic battle group, the Dáil was told.

However Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea said that "this level of commitment" would only arise should the battle group be called upon to undertake an operation of between 30 and 120 days.

He said once agreement was reached to form part of a battle group or contingent of up to 1,500 troops for potential international operations, the Irish troops would be available for a period of six months from January 1st, 2008.

Answering defence questions, Mr O'Dea stressed the commitment was subject to the "triple-lock" mechanism of United Nations, Government and Dáil approval.

He also said that any contribution would be met "within the overall ceiling of 850 personnel serving overseas at any one time".

Irish troops could be deployed for "niche capabilities" up to an armoured personnel carrier mounted infantry company with support elements.

The Minister said that the Attorney General had advised "that no foreign troops bearing arms under foreign command are entitled to be on Irish soil" so there could be no joint training in Ireland.

When Labour spokesman Joe Costello said "what about Shannon airport" in reference to the US military, Mr O'Dea said "those troops are passing through".

Sinn Féin's spokesman Aengus Ó Snodaigh voiced concern about whether soldiers would be compelled to join the battle group. Mr O'Dea said that missions, including the latest operation to Lebanon, were usually oversubscribed.

"I am open to correction, but I understand that since 1993 the Minister for Defence has been able to deploy people compulsorily if a sufficient number of volunteers does not come forward.

" I understand that on occasion there have been deployments of non-volunteers under the legislation where there was a shortage in special areas such as cooks, drivers, engineers, technicians. That situation will continue."

Mr Ó Snodaigh said, because of the change with battle groups, consideration should be given to making 2006 a cut-off date and that those who joined before then should be excused from any "secondary conscription for overseas operations".