New law will see Irish troops join EU forces
Legislation to pave the way for Irish troops to join EU battle groups is expected to be approved by the Cabinet tomorrow, it emerged tonight.
The Defence Amendment Bill (2006) should then pass through all stages of the Oireachtas before the summer recess on July 6.
The legislation will allow soldiers to be trained abroad in battlefield techniques in order to take part in rapid reaction forces deployed to conflict zones.
Defence forces personnel will also be able to assist at official level in humanitarian operations like the 2004 tsunami in South East Asia.
Visiting peacekeeping troops in Kosovo today Defence Minister Willie O’Dea insisted: “Each and every deployment must be in UN-mandated operations and have the prior approval of the Government.”
If the legislation becomes law, Ireland is likely to join battle groups comprising troops from Sweden, Finland and Estonia in the autumn.
All but two of the EU’s 25 member states have agreed to join battle groups. Denmark and Malta have both opted out.
Mr O’Dea also revealed that Irish troops will remain in war-torn regions of the former Yugoslavia indefinitely.
“Because of the continued frailty of the Kosovo region and the international effort to build stability, Ireland will continue to maintain a presence in Kfor (International Security Presence in Kosovo) for some time yet,” he said.
The minister is joined by Defence Forces chief of staff Lt General James Sreenan during a two-day visit to Camp Clarke and Camp Ville in Pristina.
The 32nd Infantry Group, comprising 213 personnel, has just begun its six-month tour of duty.
Most Irish troops are deployed in the Multinational Task Force – Central that patrols the central Pristina region where one million people live.
The area contains almost half of the entire Kosovo population and was the scene of heavy ethnic rioting in March 2004 when Irish troops played a major role in protecting Serb enclaves.
Irish soldiers help patrol, set up checkpoints, carry out searches and provide security and protection to the local population.
As well as peacekeeping, Irish troops have been involved in small-scale humanitarian activities like rebuilding homes and upgrading local school facilities.
Mr O’Dea is to hold talks with senior military officers fronting UN operations in the autonomous region.
He will also view a demonstration of military equipment before touring the Pristina area under the command of Irish troops.
