Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome our participation in the European Defence Agency as it allows us to multiply the resources we have available. We can connect with other members states, pool our resources and benefit from economies of scale in training provision and having access to knowledge and resources. That can only be good. As has been said by many Deputies, our participation in these training programmes and projects ensures our personnel and soldiers receive the most up-to-date training and gain expertise in order that when they are operating overseas, they can do so safely and come home safely because they will know what they are doing. Our participation in projects such as this ensures we have access to the most up-to-date technology and expertise worldwide, which is good.

The annual cost of €311,000 represents huge value for money and money well spent. Our spend on defence as a proportion of GDP is one of the lowest in the European Union. Over time, as more resources become available to us, we should seek to increase our spend, given the many threats we face, both at home and internationally. Certainly, I am very happy that there is co-operation with other member states at European level. The reason we participate is that the Defence Forces carry out many peacekeeping missions abroad. Just because they are peacekeeping missions does not mean that there is no danger involved for our troops. When they participate in peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions, they are sometimes under threat and fire; it is vital, therefore, that they have access to be the best training we can provide for them.

I am very happy that we have participated in a programme on chemical, biological and nuclear protection. Unfortunately, this is the direction warfare is taking and it is becoming more sophisticated. Things previously unseen are coming down the tracks in terms of the capabilities of other armies. It is incumbent on the State, therefore, to ensure it is up to speed and has the most up-to-date knowledge available by sharing knowledge with other member states. Where we can do some things very well, other states might do them slightly better and vice versa. In pooling knowledge we ensure this expertise is shared.

On countering improvised explosive devices, we have such experience in this country, while at international level we have seen atrocities and people using these devices on an individual basis to harm others.

I hope we never see anything like it on our shores but at the same time we need to be prepared and we need to have training for troops. I very much support the two projects being put forward.

In terms of maritime surveillance, more of our landmass is under water than above water. We have a huge area to cover and protect. The fact we can exchange information with other member states is positive. I am particularly delighted that we were exchanging information with the Italians using the system while we were conducting our operations in the Mediterranean. That shows what can be achieved. I have no doubt it saved lives by directing our personnel where to go to pick up and rescue those in need. It is a very positive programme. The continuation and enhancement of that programme are very good.

The cyber ranges project shows we are thinking ahead. There are already a number of threats to the country and our democracy and on an international level through cyber activity. Our forces are very well equipped and have the best knowledge but co-operation on cyber ranges, the sharing of knowledge and the pooling of resources will minimise inefficiency. One hundred man-days is a minimal amount to put to any project so it represents huge value to the State in terms of what we will gain back as a country.

The Minister of State has my full support on both projects and I look forward to hearing reports on how our people have gotten on when they have been completed.