SWEDEN: Ireland plans to join an EU battlegroup led by Sweden but it must first sign a memorandum that does not refer to its need for a UN mandate to take part in missions.
The memorandum of understanding outlines the principles underpinning the battlegroup, which is a rapid-reaction force of troops.
At an EU defence ministers' meeting yesterday, Minister of State for Defence Tom Kitt said Sweden had extended an invitation to Ireland to join the Nordic battlegroup, which will consist of 1,500 troops from Sweden, Norway, Finland and Estonia. However, he said Stockholm had insisted that Ireland sign a memorandum of understanding that did not make any reference to the Republic's "triple lock" mechanism governing military missions.
Under this system Irish soldiers will not be posted to UN military operations until both the government and the Dáil agree, and a UN Security Council resolution is passed.
Mr Kitt said the Cabinet would discuss the memorandum shortly, and participation in the battlegroup would depend on a Government decision. However, he said the Government would still require a UN mandate before it was able to deploy the troops in battle even if it did sign up to the battlegroup mandate.
He added that Ireland would be able to supply 70-100 troops to the group.
The Government was recently criticised by the Green Party and Sinn Féin for passing new legislation that allows troops to join EU battlegroups for assembly and training before a UN resolution is passed.