The Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea, yesterday expressed confidence that Ireland will be able to implement legislative change rather than having to seek constitutional change to allow the Defence Forces to participate in European Union battle groups.
Mr O'Dea was speaking at the naval base at Haulbowline, where he attended a commissioning ceremony for 10 naval cadets, which was also attended by the Defence Forces' Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Maj Gen Seán Brennan, and Flag Officer Commanding of the Naval Service, Cmdr Frank Lynch.
Mr O'Dea said he expects to receive the report of an expert committee at the end of the month on what options are open to Ireland to allow members of the Defence Forces participate in the 1,500-strong rapid reaction battle groups planned by the EU.
Since Ireland lacks the resources to form an entire battle group, it will be necessary to co-operate with other states, but foreign troops could not come to Ireland to take part in armed exercise because the Constitution states there can be only one army in the State.
Currently, Ireland cannot join the battle groups because the United Nations - the third part of the so-called "triple lock" authorisation procedure, also including the Government and the Oireachtas - would not be able to sanction them before they went into action.
However, Mr O'Dea said he believed it would be possible for the Government to introduce legislation allowing the Defence Forces to participate in formations which are designed to be sent to trouble spots as a matter of urgency.
"My impression is that it can be done by way of legislative change. Of course, there will be certainly elements in the Dáil that will fight that legislative change tooth and nail - I've no doubt - but I think it can be done by way of legislative change. I'll know very shortly," said the Minister.
In November 2004, EU defence ministers decided to establish 13 battle groups, which would be deployable within 15 days for crisis management around the world without using Nato structures.
Some countries, such as Germany, France and Britain, are setting up entire battle groups, whereas other countries such as Sweden and Finland are combining to establish multinational battle groups. It is expected that 11 battle groups will be ready by 2007.