Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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114. To ask the Minister for Defence the extent to which ongoing upgrading of military hardware continues, with particular reference to the need to ensure a regular modernisation of all Defence Forces equipment, including aircraft, sea-going vessels and computer systems, in line with best international practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21329/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This question relates to the ongoing need for the upgrading, improvement and modernisation of all military hardware throughout the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps, paying particular reference to the fact some branches of the Defence Forces serve overseas where their authority is challenged. We acknowledge the tremendous work by the commander and crew of LE Eithnefor their humanitarian work in recent weeks.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Durkan for raising this issue. The acquisition of new equipment and equipment upgrades for the Defence Forces remains a focus for me as Minister for Defence and is a matter that is kept under constant review. The development of a new White Paper on defence is under way. The White Paper will provide the future policy framework for defence for the next decade. A key part of the development of the White Paper is the consideration of potential challenges arising in our future defence and security environment. Future capability requirements, including those in relation to overseas peace support missions, including the UN, are being considered in the drafting of the new White Paper. After this Question Time I will spend two hours with officials to finalise the first draft of the White Paper. This ongoing work on the White Paper will underpin recommendations regarding the future provision of military equipment to be deployed at home and overseas.

In many ways the type of equipment is changing all the time with regard to technology and potential threats. A threat such as cybersecurity was not even known to anybody 15 or 20 years ago, or perhaps ten years ago, whereas now it is a major part of the demands on any state to protect its citizens. For the present, decisions on new equipment, including aircraft, ships, information technology and computer systems and the upgrade of military equipment in operational use will continue to be made on a strictly prioritised basis within a restricted budget with a view to maintaining the capability of all roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for the reply. Is the Minister satisfied the technology available and likely to become available is state-of-the-art and comparable to that available to all other defence forces alongside which Irish troops may serve overseas? Is there a programme of ongoing upgrading in this regard?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There has been. Even under the constraints of recent budgets we have seen a steady upgrading of equipment to ensure our peacekeepers abroad are safe. There has been a fleet replacement programme in the Irish Naval Service, which essentially will see three new ships in three years, namely, the LE Samuel Beckett, the LE James Joyce, which will arrive in the coming weeks, and a third ship, which will arrive next year, although probably not in time for this Government. The commitment has been made and the construction project is well under way. The third boat will be very similar to the LE James Joyceand the LE Samuel Beckett. We are investing and will continue to do so. Our deployment overseas in missions, such as UNDOF on the Golan Heights, is because of the training, skill sets, expertise, professionalism and equipment, such as armoured vehicles and Mowags, to which the Irish Defence Forces have access.

We are well trained and well equipped but we need to keep upgrading our equipment to ensure our troops remain safe and effective. It is my job to make sure that happens.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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To what extent is the modernisation of aircraft and military hardware in the Air Corps continuing?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There is no provision for the acquisition of new aircraft for the Air Corps in 2015. However, a significant level of investment in new equipment for the Air Corps has taken place in recent years. The investment programme included the delivery of training aircraft, the acquisition of two light utility EC135s, six utility AW139 helicopters and a mid-life upgrade of the two CASA maritime patrol aircraft.

As I mentioned, the role of the Air Corps is part of the White Paper deliberations and the question of proceeding with any replacement aircraft programme for the Air Corps will be considered in tandem with the White Paper, which we will hopefully see in the coming months.