Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This group is not under the aegis of my Department. The Department believes and I believe that there are similar groups all over member states. There is an arms industry out there. We purchase weaponry. To engage in peacekeeping, it is necessary to procure weaponry. I met with the EDA chief executive. Our participation in it is fairly low-key. The role of the EDA in the broader context of the EU is fairly low-key as well. The level of operation very much depends on the degree to which states want to co-operate with it or engage its services. The Deputy made a declaration that this is the arms industry. We do have defence forces.

We have procurement challenges. We are going to enter into the most significant era of defence procurement in the Defence Forces since the foundation of the State over the next number of years. We need expertise around procurement. Obviously, public procurement has to abide by all of the rules in respect of the European Union's rules around procurement. I do not hold any remit for this organisation.

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