Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea yesterday denied suggestions that he had been asked to "park" the issue of Irish troops' participation in "battle groups" until after the EU constitutional referendum.
Mr O'Dea told the Dáil he expected to present a report to Cabinet by summer about legal barriers to the Defence Forces taking part in the battle groups.
During Defence questions, Mr O'Dea said no one had asked him to park the issue until after the EU constitutional referendum. He also denied any conflict with the Minister for Foreign Affairs over the matter.
It was a very good idea for Irish troops to take part in the "so-called battle groups", comprising 1,000 troops from EU member states on standby to join an operation in a conflict area rapidly, he said.
