Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 6: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason a representative from Enterprise Ireland is acting as Ireland's representative at meetings of the European Defence Agency; the mandate given to same; and the powers vested in same to conclude agreements on behalf of the State. [15612/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Representation at meetings of the European Defence Agency, EDA, is a matter for the Department of Defence and I have no function in the matter.

Enterprise Ireland does not represent Ireland at meetings of the EDA and has no powers to conclude agreements relating to the EDA on behalf of the State. Meetings of the EDA are attended by staff from the Department of Defence. However, I understand that Enterprise Ireland has provided preliminary technical assistance to the Department of Defence at EDA meetings in relation to a research and development programme which the EDA has decided to undertake and in which the Minister for Defence has determined that Ireland should participate. On the basis of that decision, the Department of Defence has requested the involvement of Enterprise Ireland in identifying Irish companies which may potentially participate in this research programme and thereby benefit from the funding which is available from EDA projects. That Department has also requested the involvement of Enterprise Ireland in relation to Ireland's representation in the management of the said research programme by the EDA. These requests are currently under consideration.

The decision to establish an intergovernmental agency in the field of defence capabilities development, research, acquisition and armaments, known as the European Defence Agency, was formally adopted at the General Affairs and External Relations Council meeting on 12 July 2004. Ireland participates in the framework of the European Defence Agency, pursuant to a Government decision of 6 July 2004. The agency is an intergovernmental agency within the framework of ESDP and Ireland is represented on the steering board by my colleague, the Minister for Defence.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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As the Minister began his response, I presumed that my information was inaccurate and that Enterprise Ireland was not sending representatives to the European Defence Agency. As his reply evolved, it became clear that it is doing so.

How is this reconciled with stated Government policy regarding control of the export, sale and use of arms to ensure that this State does not assist the development of weapons which would have a disastrous effect if sold to inappropriate regimes? What is our involvement in this defence armaments research programme? What is the role of Enterprise Ireland in the matter? Are we seeking contracts for Irish universities or companies? What is our involvement, as a neutral state, in such European defence armament programmes?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We have a strong legislative framework for regulating the dual use issue, which the Minister for Foreign Affairs piloted through the Houses. Deputy Ryan's question suggested that Enterprise Ireland was acting as Ireland's representative at the EDA. In the interest of Enterprise Ireland, it is important to clarify that it does not act as Ireland's representative on the European Defence Agency. Enterprise Ireland provides technical advices to a number of Departments. For example, Enterprise Ireland provided the technical and scientific assessments which informed the decisions taken by the Department of Agriculture and Food on the rationalisation of the dairy industry. When the IDA, for example, grant aids research and development projects for multinational companies, Enterprise Ireland does the technical evaluations and assessments of the projects concerned.

In this case, the Minister for Defence needed technical advice regarding a research and development programme in which his Department is involved. I do not have specific information about the programme. The Minister for Defence determined that Ireland should participate in the programme and wished to identify companies which could participate in it.

There is always a crossover, particularly in the area of information technology, between civilian and defence uses. Companies with expertise in peacekeeping equipment and crisis management systems could play a role in the development of emerging technologies which would not undermine our neutrality or non-alignment policy. We must be careful not to rain on everyone's parade as soon as we see the word "defence" on an agenda.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Is the Minister suggesting that the Minister for Defence seeks to develop an armaments or a research capability in this area? The parallel of Enterprise Ireland assisting the Department of Agriculture and Food does not stand up. Enterprise Ireland's only purpose in this matter can be to generate business for Irish universities or companies. Is that not what it is doing rather than helping the Minister for Defence to develop a defence capability?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Defence has requested the involvement of Enterprise Ireland in identifying Irish companies which might potentially participate in this research programme. To date, Enterprise Ireland has provided preliminary technical assistance to the Department of Defence at EDA meetings for a research and development programme which the EDA has decided to undertake and in which the Minister for Defence has decided to participate. There is not a wide-ranging set of programmes. There is one particular programme which may have applicability to some Irish companies.

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Is there a fear regarding Ireland's neutral position?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Countries such as Austria, Finland and Sweden, which are neutral countries, are participating in this programme.