Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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100. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on the investment in equipment for the Defence Forces as part of the five-year equipment development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3916/22]

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I would like an update on the investment in equipment for the Defence Forces. This is part of the five-year development plan launched in 2020. In that context, the Minister made reference to Russian aircraft off the coast of Ireland and developments and speculation in that area. Have we now reached a point where we as a country need to invest in the development of radar surveillance capability, in particular a primary radar system? Do we need to put money into that and is it being considered under the investment programme? I would like an update on the equipment investment programme. Do we now need to make that substantial investment?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capacity of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed. This is to enable the Defence Forces to carry out the roles assigned by Government, as set out in the White Paper on defence. Equipment priorities for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on defence as part of the capability development and equipment development planning, EDP, process. Further additions to the equipment development plan are under consideration.

The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the national development plan of €566 million over the 2022 to 2025 timeframe. Within that capital allocation, the defence annual capital budget for 2022 is €141 million. Over recent years the capital budget has also been augmented through the reallocation of pay savings and, due to the numbers being below the establishment, we were effectively able to recommit that unspent money to the capital budget.

There are a number of defensive equipment acquisition and upgrade projects for which there will be capital expenditure in the coming years. These include the midlife upgrade of the Army's fleet of 80 Mowag Piranha III armoured personnel carrier vehicles, which is well under way, as well as the completion of the delivery of an additional 30 armoured utility vehicles. The Army's softskin fleet continues to be updated also, with more than 220 vehicles due for delivery in 2022.

In regard to air-based capability, the programme for the supply of two C295 maritime patrol aircraft is well under way, with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023. Alongside the recently acquired PC-12 aircraft, some €276 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of all these enhanced capabilities.

With regard to the Naval Service, the programme of works has been under way and the midlife refit and upgrade of the LÉ Róisínhas been completed, while works have commenced on LÉ Niamh. The replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithnewith a multi-role vessel, MRV, is an important element of the development investment programme. Marine advisers have been appointed to support the procurement of the MRV, and the replacement of other vessels is also under consideration.

An independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established in December 2020, as I mentioned. The work of the commission encompasses the consideration of appropriate military equipment capabilities, structures and staffing, and its report will inform decisions regarding the future development of the Defence Forces.

On the Deputy’s question on radar, that is certainly an issue under consideration. We have said that, subject to the availability of resources, we would look at that but it is not currently on the equipment enhancement plan. I suspect we may well get recommendations on that from the commission report.

Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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When does the Minister expect the Commission on the Defence Forces to report? The issue of radar surveillance equipment is very much in focus with the public and generally.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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We will probably have that commission report in the next two weeks, so we do not have to wait very long to get it.