Dáil debates

Thursday, 14 March 2013

Other Questions

European Defence Capabilities

5:20 pm

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the discussions he has had with his EU partners with regard to collaboration in the provision of defence capabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13255/13]

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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During each European Union Presidency, one formal and one informal meeting of Defence Ministers is held. There is no separate Defence Ministers' Council within the EU Council of Ministers. The formal meetings are held in Brussels or Luxembourg at the invitation of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the informal meeting in the country holding the Presidency. The agenda at the meetings varies according to the priorities of the European External Action Service and topical subjects or issues that have recently arisen. The issue of collaboration in defence capabilities is a recurring theme during these meetings.

At this meeting, the chief executive of the European Defence Agency and the European External Action Service update Ministers on its activities and initiatives. My colleague, the Minister for Defence, and his Department fully co-operate with the agency through ministerial steering board meetings and other fora.

The agency has developed pooling and sharing as a way of enhancing military capabilities and ensuring co-operation in these capabilities. In November 2012, Ministers adopted a code of conduct that proposed a number of concrete actions to mainstream this pooling and sharing initiative in member states, thus leading to co-operation in the provision of defence capabilities. These actions would be only implemented on a national and voluntary basis.

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. This issue arises from statements from the Minister last month, when he told us that in addressing the impact of the financial crisis on defence, including collaboration in the provision of defence capabilities, pooling and sharing was a priority. What defence capabilities does the Minister of State regard as appropriate for pooling and sharing? Does collaboration in the provision of defence capabilities imply a greater collaboration in European defence policy? Is it the Minister of State's view that Ireland should not only be part of the European security and defence architecture but among the architects helping to design these systems to meet our needs in the future?

Photo of Fergus O'DowdFergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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A number of principles apply and allow for co-operation to be enhanced. These include political will and commitment, cost-effectiveness, flexibility between groupings of two or more, usability and availability. The code of conduct is voluntary and non-binding, respecting the national defence policies of individual member states. As such, it does not create any issues for Ireland.

Ireland participates in a number of projects. We lead the project on the naval training initiative, whose aim is to seek and exploit opportunities in the area of naval training. The aim of the maritime surveillance project is to achieve better informed operational decision making through an improved recognised maritime picture through data, information and intelligence sharing. Spain is leading the project on training in counter-improvised explosive devices in which Ireland participates. The aim is to address training in all situations and at all levels. The final project deals with chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear protection and the scope ranges from the identification of emerging technology to protection as an operational capability, aimed at developing detection, identification, decontamination and medical counter-measures.

The Minister for Defence is keen to explore all aspects of this initiative as an alternative solution to retain, enhance and acquire vital military capabilities in a time when prudent use of scarce finance is required.