Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of projects and programmes entered into by Ireland through the European Defence Agency to date; the number which did not contribute to our ability to participate in United Nations mandated missions; if the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces was consulted prior to his decision to restrict Ireland's participation in the European Defence Agency; if European Defence Agency projects and programmes to date entered into by Ireland breached Ireland's neutrality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25228/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The European Defence Agency was established under a Joint Action of the Council of Ministers on 12 July 2004, "to support the member states and the Council in their effort to improve European defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy as it stands now and develops in the future". Following Government approval, Ireland joined the EDA when it was established during the Irish Presidency in 2004. Ireland participates in the framework of the agency and I represent Ireland on the EDA steering board. The steering board acts under the Council's authority and within the framework of guidelines issued by the Council.

Since its inception, the agency has made significant progress on many projects and programmes. Ireland is a contributor to initiatives and the ongoing work programme of the EDA, which includes identifying and overcoming shortfalls in capabilities development to increase the capacity of the Union to undertake appropriate peace support operations. These include initiatives in relation to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives protection, CBRNE, communication and network systems and improved Counter-IED, improvised explosive devices, capability to enable military forces to operate safely.

In 2007, Ireland joined the Joint Investment Programme on Force Protection, which has a budget of €55 million over three years. Ireland's contribution amounts to €700,000 over the three years. Force protection involves measures to protect personnel engaged in peace support and crisis management operations overseas and is one of the main factors considered when undertaking any operation. Ireland's key interest in the programme is in the development of technologies and capabilities to protect troops from threats such as snipers, booby traps and improvised explosive devices. Body armour, sensors and counter explosive devices are all key elements of the programme.

Ireland also participates in the EDA's code of conduct for defence procurement and a code of best practice in the supply chain, developed to ensure transparency in procurement and security of supply of defence equipment. The EDA have also developed a European bulletin board, which acts as a single portal for defence contract opportunities. This has enabled wider advertising of Ireland's defence force contracts so as to achieve better value for money for Ireland's expenditure on defensive equipment.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Can the Minister highlight the benefits to Ireland of EDA membership? This is important in view of the referendum on the Lisbon treaty. Can he also highlight the impact of a possible EDA exit on Ireland's peace keeping missions?

It was recently reported in the national media that the Government is preparing legislation to enable Ireland to opt in or out of the EDA. Could the Minister explain the necessity for this legislation? Will it include the triple lock, which is already provided for? At present, any decision relating to the EDA goes to Government. I understand that under new legislation it would also have to come before the Dáil. Why is that necessary, given that our participation in the EDA is generally for our own benefit, improving the equipment of our armed forces and protecting the lives of our military personnel?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I will clarify the position on the legislation. Basically, the EDA is about developing the capability of EU member states to perform the Petersberg Tasks. Ireland has only engaged in one EDA project, the force protection project. It is about developing communications systems, body armour, sensors and so forth to protect our troops when they go into these dangerous environments. Ireland is a member of the EDA. Under the Lisbon treaty, there is no compulsion on this country to be a member but the Government has decided that membership of the EDA is a good thing for Ireland.

With regard to opting out or in, Ireland can opt out of or into any project in which the EDA engages. The EDA has engaged in a number of research projects and Ireland has opted into one, and made the appropriate contribution. This project is specifically geared towards force protection. Why is legislation required? It is required to make it absolutely clear to people who have doubts - and some doubts were expressed on this in the referendum campaign on the Lisbon treaty - that any project in which Ireland gets involved under the EDA will be simply and solely to advance the capability, capacity and safety of our troops when they are performing the Petersberg Tasks, which EU troops carry out under a United Nations mandate. The legislation will provide that the Government and the Dáil must be satisfied that the project is for that purpose. It will provide similarly with regard to joint structured co-operation.

The benefits of the EDA for Ireland are twofold. First, it allows for economies of scale. It will allow us to get much better value for the money we are spending on defence equipment by regularising the market. The market has been very fragmented and the EDA has done much to bring it together. Second, it has enabled Ireland to avail of the same information and research as our potential EU partners in peacekeeping. When Irish troops go into the arena as part of a UN-mandated EU mission, they will have communications equipment, tanks and general military equipment that are compatible with that of their partners. That is designed to make the operation more efficient and to ensure the safety of our troops.