Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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7. To ask the Minister for Defence with regard to his July 2014 statement that the Defence Forces contribute to economic recovery and should not be seen purely as a cost to the State, and that the Defence Forces can be used for the development of new design and innovation, the way he is advancing this agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6889/15]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Last July, the Minister made a very interesting statement and talked about the Defence Forces having the capacity to contribute to economic recovery. He spoke about the potential for their involvement in the development of new designs and innovation. That might have represented something of a new departure for the Minister for Defence. I compliment him on that. I understand he may have set up some sort of working group within the Department involving Enterprise Ireland and the Defence Forces to make progress on this idea. If so, could he tell us about it? Could he tell us about progress on the whole initiative?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for asking about this because it is an area in which I am really interested.

In July 2011, the Government approved an approach whereby Enterprise Ireland supports the defence organisation by raising awareness of and engaging with Irish-based enterprise and research institutes that are engaged in activities related to the Defence Forces’ capacity potential. The primary objective of this initiative is to support Defence Forces' capability development for crisis management through the application of new and innovative technology and research. The application of such technology and research in the defence domain also supports innovation, growth and jobs in Irish industry, particularly for companies and institutions operating in the security and defence — dual-use — sector. In addition, the Defence Forces' knowledge of the defence market and defence capability and technology development means they can bring valuable experience and knowledge to the attention of these companies and institutes.

Subject to the provisions of the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 2010, the Defence Forces also participate in relevant capability development projects at European level under the umbrella of the European Defence Agency. Enterprise Ireland also supports Irish-based enterprise and research institutes in accessing research opportunities in the European Defence Agency.

Through the Irish Maritime Energy and Resource Cluster, which is a partnership of the Naval Service, University College Cork and Cork Institute of Technology, the Naval Service has been involved in various initiatives with Enterprise Ireland within its capability requirements sphere. In supporting the Defence Forces' capability and making a contribution to economic recovery, my Department will continue to provide assistance to Enterprise Ireland and companies supported by Enterprise Ireland in 2015. In addition, my Department will ensure all interested parties are kept abreast of European Defence Agency developments.

Multiple companies are working in partnership with the Defence Forces to test products. Let me give the Deputy some examples.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I will come back to the Minister on that because we are running behind schedule.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I am interested in hearing the examples because we want to know whether the initiative has been progressed and whether there are projects coming to fruition as a result of it. Nobody doubts the potential of the Defence Forces to contribute added value to business and the economy using its technical capability and proven field experience, particularly in the areas of technology and research outlined by the Minister. Could the Minister give us some sense of the particular projects that have been advanced? It would be useful.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Absolutely. I am referring to maritime surveillance, energy conservation, chemical, biological and radiological research, and improvised explosive devices detection. These initiatives have direct relevance to defence but can use the Defence Forces' infrastructure to test products that may well have relevance and an application outside the defence sphere. In Cork Harbour at present, a company has been developing a communications system based on wireless technology. It is providing high-speed broadband to ships entering the harbour that use the platform. The company has worked with the Naval Service to develop the technology.

We will see naval vessels testing kite technology to improve the capacity for surveillance by having cameras on kites to expand the horizon and, consequently, the surveillance radius. We may well see the testing of kite technology to power ships patrolling at slow speeds along the west coast.

These are the kinds of technologies that are being considered. Drone technology is being developed by the Irish Marine and Energy Research Cluster currently. This involves a partnership of University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology, the Naval Service and approximately 28 companies, all of which are trying to develop new technology. In the Curragh, similar projects are being developed with the Army. There are exciting developments, and the partnership between the Defence Forces and private sector can produce some very exciting results.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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What the Minister is saying is very positive. I tabled this question because I had concerns based on the soundings I made that process might have been taking precedence over progress in terms of the initiative the Minister has undertaken. He has gone some way to allay my fears in that respect. Can he confirm that there is a working group or standing group of some nature in place that is working assiduously on these matters? Could he clarify the make-up of that group, if it exists?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Most of the strategic thinking in this area is now happening in the context of the White Paper. I hope to bring a draft White Paper to the Government before we break up for the summer, if possible. I believe it is possible. One objective of the White Paper is to focus on how the Defence Forces can contribute to the innovation agenda in terms of developing new products and technology that can be applied not only within the Defence Forces to improve efficiency, safety and effectiveness but also outside the Defence Forces in terms products and innovations that have an application beyond defence. The Deputy will see quite a lot in the White Paper in that regard.