Legislation imminent for EU battle group role

LEGISLATION to allow Irish troops take part in European Union battle groups will be in place as soon as this summer, Defence Minister Willie O'Dea said yesterday.

Announcing the Government's decision to join EU battle groups in Dublin's McKee barracks yesterday, Mr O'Dea said authorisation had already been given for Department of Defence officials to begin exploratory discussions with other EU nations.

The objective is for the Defence Forces to partner nations such as Sweden and others to make up a rapid response unit designed to intervene quickly in crisis situations throughout the world.