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Rapid Response Elements (Battlegroups)

Defence Forces Contribution EU HEADLINE GOAL
Unit	Staff	Ready
Infantry Brigade Headquarters	150	M
Logistics Battalion Headquarters	50	H
Light Infantry Battalion with	750	H
1 Infantry Company Group		V
Field Artillery Battery	80	H
Reconnaissance Unit	80	V
Medium Transport Unit	60	H
Medium Truck Pallet Cargo	60	H
Special Operations Forces Unit	40	V
CBRN Decontamination Unit	30	H
CIMIC Group	30	H
CIMIC Tactical Elements	25	H
EOD/IED Team	5	H
EOD/IEDD Team (CBRN)	5	H
Military Observation Team	12	V
Operations Liaison Recon Team	10	V
Military Provost Marshal Office	10	H
Military Police Detachment	10	H
Media Operations Unit	6	H
Readiness States are measured in days: Very High 1-20, High 21-60; Medium 61-90 Days. CBRN: Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear. CIMIC: Civil-Military Cooperation. EOD/IEDD: Explosive Ordnance Disposal/ Improvised Explosive Device & Disposal.

Ireland’s international security and defence policy context is defined by a policy of military neutrality, an active political and operational role in support of the UN, commitments to the United Nations Standby Arrangements System (UN SAS), participation in the EU ’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and in NATO ’s Partnership for Peace (PfP). The EU has the capability to rapidly deploy forces broadly based on the Battlegroups concept. Since 1 January 2007, the EU has had two Battlegroups on permanent standby for a period of six months at a time. The purpose of these Battlegroups is to provide a rapid level of response to developing international crises, allowing the EU to intervene during the critical early stages.

During 2011, Ireland participated in the Nordic Battlegroup (NBG) 2011, which was on standby from 1st January 2011 to 30th June 2011. Ireland’s contribution to NBG 2011 consisted of an Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance (ISTAR) Group together with support elements and staff posts at NBG Force Headquarter (FHQ) in Enkoping, Sweden. Throughout 2011 preparations were made, following Government approval, for Ireland’s participation in the Austrian/German Battlegroup, which was on standby for the second six months of 2012. Ireland’s proposed contribution is similar to that offered to NBG 2011.

In 2011, Ireland continued to contribute to the development of the EU ’s capability to conduct Crisis Management Operations. This engagement in capability development includes Ireland’s offer of a palette of forces, which can be made available for EU Crisis Management Operations through the Headline Goal. Preparations continued during 2011 in the EU Military Committee to revise and update the Headline Goal. Ireland’s contribution to the Headline Goal comes from within our existing commitment of up to 850 personnel to the UN SAS.

During 2011, the European Defence Agency worked with Member States and the Military Committee on updating the Capability Development Plan (CDP). The CDP addresses the issues of both the existing capability shortfalls and future shortfalls up to 2025, in the context of Crisis Management Operations. The updated CDP was approved by the European Defence Agency Steering Board in 2011.

Ireland has accorded central importance to the United Nations since it became a member in 1955 and, within the UN system, has supported effective international action in areas such as disarmament, peacekeeping, development and human rights. Ireland has taken seriously its obligation under the United Nations Charter to make available to the Security Council; armed forces, assistance and facilities, in order to contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security. This is reflected in Ireland’s long and well regarded history of participation in overseas missions mandated by the United Nations.

Since the end of the Cold War, the peacekeeping environment has been transformed and peacekeeping operations have grown in number, complexity and robustness. The UN is increasingly relying on regional organisations and arrangements (e.g. EU, NATO , African Union, etc.) to launch and manage operations on its behalf and under its authority. In tandem with this changing environment, the EU is today playing an increasing role within the international security domain through the development and evolution of the CSDP, which is elaborated under the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

While the Minister for Foreign Affairs has overall responsibility for international security policy, the Minister for Defence and the Defence Organisation support this policy and have an increasing role in this area, in particular through the ongoing development of CSDP.

The establishment of a Political and Security Committee (PSC) Defence Delegation comprising civil and military elements in Ireland’s permanent representation to the EU and the detachment of Defence Forces personnel to the EU Military Staff (EU MS), coupled with our participation in EU-led civil and military operations, reflect the expanding role of the Defence Organisation in the area of CSDP. Civil and military elements from the Defence Organisation are also deployed to Ireland’s PfP Liaison Office in NATO and there are Defence Forces personnel serving at NATO Headquarters in Brussels and in the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna.

Ireland made a major contribution to international peacekeeping in 2011 through their participation in overseas Peace Support Operations (PSOs). During 2011, approximately 1,000 members of the Permanent Defence Force deployed to various missions including postings with the UN, EU, OSCE and PfP/NATO. The year saw an increase in the number of troops deployed on overseas missions. The 104th Battalion successfully deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UN IFIL) in June 2011 with a total battalion strength of 437. In addition the Defence Forces also took up a number of staff positions within Sector West Headquarters and Force Headquarters in Naqoura.