Calling it a “huge mistake” and warning that “it is not what the Irish people want.” People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said the decision marked another step in Ireland support for the creation of a European Army. That is not our role has never been our role and should never be in the future.” “That is taking sides and we are a neutral country. “Europe would have two such groups on standby with 3,000 battle-ready soldiers to send into an area to disarm one side or the other. “Sending 1,000 soldiers to take sides in any conflict, anywhere in the world is a battle,” he said. Sinn Féin spokesperson on defence Aengus Ó Snodaigh said the decision would further undermine Irish neutrality noting that when it comes to battlegroups, “the key is in the name.” No battlegroup has ever been sent into action. This means the mission must be UN-approved, the Government must make a formal decision to deploy and that decision must be approved by the Dáil. Should the group be called into action for any reason, the Irish troops will only be deployed with ‘triple-lock’ authorisation. “It reinforces our standing and capacity to influence the ongoing development of the Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy in support of international peace and security and the UN.” “It enhances Ireland’s credibility as a provider of professional and effective military forces for crisis management operations. “Ireland’s participation in battlegroups supports the development of rapid deployment skills and capabilities within the Defence Forces,” he said. The Minister of State with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe said Ireland’s participation underlines “commitment to the UN and its principles.” They are expected to be ready for deployment within around a week of an EU Council decision to greenlight a mission.
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