Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann approves Ireland's participation in an EDA Category A Project on Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Protection and an EDA Category B Project on Maritime Surveillance (MARSUR) pursuant to section 2 of the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009.

I will provide some brief information on the reason the Government is presenting this motion and approving Ireland's participation in these two projects. In commending the motion to the House, I will briefly outline the function of the European Defence Agency, EDA, and the background to the two programmes in which Ireland wishes to participate.

Following the Government's approval, Ireland joined the EDA when it was established during the Irish EU Presidency in 2004. Ireland participates in the framework of the agency and I represent Ireland on the EDA steering board along with defence Ministers of all participating EU member states.

Since its inception, the EDA has made significant progress on the development of many military capability projects and programmes in support of EU crisis management. The primary reason for Ireland's participation in the EDA, is to support the ongoing development of Defence Forces capabilities for international peace support operations. One example is improved communications and network systems for use on the ground in operations.

The two projects identified, chemical biological radiological and nuclear, CBRN, and maritime surveillance networking, MARSUR, will further contribute to Defence Forces capability development. I fully support the Defence Forces participation in these projects. Pursuant to the provisions of the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 I am seeking Dáil approval for Ireland's' participation in them.

The joint investment programme on CBRN has been initiated between the EDA, the European Commission and the European Space Agency. Intelligence-based threat assessments at national, EU and international level, all indicate an increased likelihood of terrorist organisations and insurgencies using chemical, biological or radiological agents, against both military and civilian targets. Apart from possible international threats, there are also potential national threats in this area. It is recognised that non-state actors and organised criminal groups could develop the capability to use improvised CBRN devices.

Regardless of the source of any CBRN hazard, an attack or exposure could inflict major casualties amongst security forces, emergency responders and unprotected civilians. There is also the potential for CBRN hazards to arise from accidents or natural disasters as was the case following the tsunami in Japan recently.

One of the primary reasons for our involvement in the CBRN area is to ensure the safety and improve the capacity of the Defence Forces operating in a CBRN environment. The scope of the EDA project on CBRN ranges from the identification of emerging technology to CBRN protection as an operational capability. The programme will involve research, technology development and demonstration activities.

The MARSUR project will facilitate a group of interested member states joining together to further develop a recognised maritime picture, RMP, exchange network. New developments will include modifications to improve data exchange, allowing for secure exchange of confidential or sensitive information, using data from a range of systems and covering different maritime areas. The nature and level of information exchanged is determined, monitored and controlled by each participating member state.

In developing the RMP exchange, network, the European Union, including Ireland, will be better able to combat drug trafficking, smuggling, illegal immigration and migration and international terrorism. Better exchange of information will also play a part in protecting maritime trade, the maritime environment and natural resources.

The MARSUR network also has a role to play on the economic and industrial front. Ireland's maritime area contains natural resources with a potential value in excess of a trillion euro including mineral deposits, fossil fuels, marine life, fisheries and wind and wave energy. Marine transport leisure and tourism, seafood, renewable ocean energy and marine biotechnology are niche areas that can contribute to Ireland's economic recovery and are, therefore, worth protecting.

Ireland's involvement in this project will enhance information sharing and knowledge transfer between member states and build working relationships based on mutual trust with other European agencies at the operational level. Through our involvement in drug seizures, success depends on the co-operation of our national and international partners.

The cost of participating in the two projects will be met from the proposed allocations for the Department of Defence. Participation in the CBRN project will be approximately €150,000 over four years while participation in the MARSUR project is estimated at €105,000 over three years.

Both projects will deliver benefits in enhancing Defence Forces capabilities. The CBRN project will offer the Defence Forces access to research, studies and developments arising from the project that will complement work undertaken and investments made over the past several years by the Defence Forces. Participation in the MARSUR project will play a major part in the fight against drug trafficking, in the protection of our natural resources and in safety and security at sea.

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