The Government is proposing to change the law to allow the Defence Forces to participate in the European Union's rapid reaction battlegroups. Denis Staunton and Mark Hennessy report.
In Brussels yesterday, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, said there was no constitutional prohibition against participation, which the Government wanted, but the law would have to be changed.
The EU has agreed to establish 11 battlegroups by 2007, each 1,500 strong, which could be deployed within 15 days for crisis management operations for up to three months.
"We have legal difficulties. These can be got over, I've no doubt," said Mr Ahern.
The Government believes the 1960 Defence Act prevents Irish soldiers from travelling abroad for training in the numbers required for participation in an EU battlegroup.
However, Mr Ahern stressed that the so-called "triple lock" preventing military deployment overseas without the approval of the Government, the Oireachtas and a UN Security Council resolution would remain.
But the Minister for Defence, Mr O'Dea, last night said there was "no point" in changing legislation until the UN Security Council was able to produce resolutions within the deadline set by the battlegroups.
"When was the last time you saw a UN resolution produced within 15 days?" asked Mr O'Dea, who insisted he was not in disagreement with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
"There may be a difference of emphasis," he said.
Mr O'Dea said he had been told by "senior figures in Brussels" that the UN intends to introduce reforms that could lead to the speedier agreements of resolutions in crisis situations.
Speaking in Brussels, Mr Ahern said the Attorney General's office was examining the need for legislative changes before Irish forces could join the battlegroups.
"In principle, we're willing to participate in battle groups. . .We are happy to make the changes necessary."
Mr O'Dea suggested last month that Irish troops could not participate because a UN resolution could not be secured in time for a rapid deployment.
Others have suggested that the Constitution's provision that there can be only one army in the State could prohibit the training under arms in Ireland of foreign forces.
Mr Ahern last week visited Sweden and Finland, two of the EU's other neutral member-states, to discuss the battlegroups.
He is expected to visit Austria, another neutral country, soon.
The Minister denied he was seeking to establish a caucus of neutral states but said it was useful to consult like-minded EU partners.
"I suggested we might have more regular contact," he said. Under EU rules, no battlegroup will be deployed without the unanimous approval of all 25 member-states.