Chairperson:

A number of questions have been asked. Just in case we do not get an opportunity for a further round, and having regard to the clock, I add my appreciation and thanks to those involved in the preparation and publication of this report. Chapter 6, Capability Requirements for a 21st Century Defence Force, lays bare in very stark and certain terms very serious inadequacies in our Defence Forces. The publication of the report was just prior to the unlawful invasion by Russia of Ukraine. Hence, it appears to me to suggest a sense of urgency involved here. I acknowledge the significant increase in expenditure that the Minister managed to secure in the recent budget, which all members very much welcome. Could he share with us how vulnerable he believes Ireland is in the context of certain issues that are germane to current world affairs? We saw what happened last week in respect of the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipeline. Russia stands accused of being responsible for four explosions in the Baltic Sea. We discussed with the Minister earlier this year the situation in the Atlantic, not too far from our territorial waters. How best does the Minister feel he can address issues of urgency? In other words, do we know the purpose of the Russian naval exercises earlier this year? Does the Minister acknowledge the fact that Ireland is particularly vulnerable? Do we or will we have the capacity to monitor the cables? Do we acknowledge that we do not have the capacity at times to know what is going on in close proximity to our territorial waters? I accept the reliance that we have on our allies but at some stage in the future, will we be in a position to set our own strategic objectives? In terms of timescale and investment to deal with the matter of maritime capacity, how soon will we be in a position to guard and protect the strategic cables within our territorial waters? Will current global uncertainties in many ways hasten the type of investment all of us on this committee and the Minister himself would like to see take place?