Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I note Deputy Ó Snodaigh's concerns about a European army but I have addressed that question in reply to other Deputies. Before members of the Defence Forces participate in any training overseas, we must ensure that we have the capability and capacity to respond to civil power requests. I have been advised by military management that our participation in the course will not prohibit us from carrying out our work at home. A core team of engineers, comprising 60 personnel over the duration, will go on the course, and one half of them will become trainers who will be able to bring their expertise home to train others in the same area. I agree that it is a matter of enhancing the capability of our personnel, which is important. As well as when our personnel respond to calls for civil power, when VIPs visit, they come to a safe environment, and personnel can put their training to good use overseas in operations on any of our peacekeeping missions overseas.

The Deputy asked from where the European Defence Fund comes. Until 2020, the Commission will allocate €590 million to the European Defence Fund, €90 million to the research window and €500 million to the capability under the European defence industrial development programme, which was exclusively resourced from redeployments under subheading 1a of the EU Multi-annual Financial Framework 2014-2020. After 2020, the European Defence Fund will be financed from the EU budget. The level of funding proposed is €13 billion, which will depend on the outcome of negotiations on the multi-annual financial framework 2021-27. I reiterate that the guidance and advice of military management indicates that it is a good course in which we should participate. It will give members of the Defence Forces enhanced capability, which I am sure all Deputies would support. When members of the Defence Forces travel overseas, I want to be able to say we are sending the best, the best trained and the best equipped at any time. The course is worthwhile and worth the money we are spending and investing in it.