Dr. Margaret Stanley:

There has been an allocation of €1.7 billion from the national development plan for the defence development plan which goes up to 2030. That represents a significant increase, of 55%, on the last allocation. A civil military team within my Department is looking at this capability development plan for this, in fact beyond 2030 and up to 2040, to focus on how to use this money for best effect. A military radar project that will include maritime radar is well advanced.

Work is also ongoing to invest in sonar capability for the Naval Service. This will give capability to our Naval Service to detect objects near cables and pipelines in Irish waters. These new acquisitions and capabilities will enhance awareness of what is happening above and below the surface of the sea and will help the Defence Forces to have a wider maritime situational awareness.