US embassy cable - 05DUBLIN31

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUBLIN 000031 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/11/2015 
TAGS: MARR, MOPS, EU, EUN 
SUBJECT: BATTLE GROUPS: GOI TO TAKE SLOW APPROACH 
 
 
Classified By: DCM JON BENTON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND D 
 
1.  (C)  Keith McBean, Director of Security Policy at DFA, 
told POL/ECON Chief January 11 that Defense Minister O'Dea's 
recent commments to the press on Irish participation in EU 
battlegroups was not coordinated with other ministries.  In 
an interview over the weekend, O'Dea cited legal and policy 
issues that would make Irish participation in a battle group 
difficult.  The well-known "triple lock" policy of the Irish 
government provides for deployment of armed Irish forces only 
under a UN resolution and with approval of the government and 
parliament, a long process that could be inconsistent with 
"rapid response."  There are also restrictions on joint 
training Irish forces can do (absent a UN resolution) and on 
foreign troops training on Irish soil.  O'Dea cited these 
issues as complicating Irish desires to participate in a 
battlegroup. 
 
2.  (C)  McBean took pains to emphasize that Irish policy has 
not changed:  the Irish are positively disposed to 
participate in a battle group, but were not planning to do so 
imminently in any case for political and legal reasons.  The 
Prime Minister's top foreign policy goal is Irish 
ratification of the EU constitution, a goal that could be 
undermined if the public sees Ireland's EU defense 
obligations undercutting its cherished neutrality.  In 
addition to the political desire to put battlegroups on the 
slow burner, the government does have legal and policy 
hurdles to sort out, as Defense Minister O'Dea indicated.  An 
intergovernmental group (DFA, DoD, Attorney General) 
continues to meet on those questions. 
 
3.  (C) Comment:  The GOI is extremely proud of its 
peacekeeping contributions and McBean was clear in stating 
that Ireland will continue that practice, irrespective of 
whether or when it joins an EU battlegroup.  Defense Minister 
O'Dea's comments to the press seem one part the actions of a 
minister new to defense, who forgot to coordinate with other 
ministries or to consider the reaction of EU partners, and 
one part the actions of a minister who has long been a member 
of parliament and who wanted to put his spin on the issue 
before parliament reconvenes.  End Comment. 
KENNY