Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the current capacity of the Defence Forces to ensure the territorial integrity of Irish airspace; his proposals to increase this capacity, and the details of any arrangements with other states to monitor or enter Irish airspace for military or defence purposes. [23112/23]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Tánaiste outline the current capacity of our Defence Forces to ensure the territorial integrity of Irish airspace? Will he outline the details of any arrangements we have with other states to enter Irish airspace for military or defence purposes?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy for the question. I think this is the first time he is asking questions in his capacity as spokesperson on defence. I congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to ongoing engagement.

My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained to the greatest extent possible so as to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by the Government, both at home and overseas. AirNav Ireland, which was formerly part of the Irish Aviation Authority, IAA, exercises air traffic control responsibilities for both sovereign airspace and also airspace over the high seas, largely off the western seaboard. All air traffic, civil and military, is monitored and controlled by AirNav Ireland in respect of this airspace and in line with International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, rules it is normal practice for AirNav to be informed by the relevant state of any military flights operating in Irish-controlled airspace.

The development of a primary radar capability was one of the recommendations made in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces last year. In response to that a project team comprising senior civil and military personnel has commenced work on planning for military radar capabilities. This includes ground-based, maritime and primary radar systems. Delivery of primary radar is extremely complex and will take some time. However, delivery has been prioritised by the Government and this year’s increased capital allocation for defence includes funding to progress the development of a primary radar capability. The Government is totally committed to resourcing radar capability.

As I have previously stated, it is the Government’s consistent approach that we do not comment on national security but policies are conducted with full respect for Irish sovereign decision-making authority and for Ireland’s policy of military neutrality. They are also fully in accordance with Irish and international law. It should be noted that the issues involved are the subject of a current High Court case.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Gabhaim buíochas leis an Tánaiste. It is on that last point I would like to have a supplementary answer because it would be deeply disappointing if, through a court action, the High Court was to hear before this House what particular arrangements are in place with other states. The Tánaiste stated the Government does not comment on these types of arrangements, which he termed national security arrangements, but his predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, did. He told the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence that "We do not have overflight arrangements with the RAF, to be clear." Is that a remark the Tánaiste would make and stand over or is it one that needs to be corrected in the House? The Tánaiste has referenced that everything done in terms of arrangements with other states is done in line with the constitutional and legal provisions-----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We need to be very-----

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Can the Tánaiste outline when and how the Government last secured legal advice that every arrangement was indeed in line with the constitutional provisions?

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, no. We cannot start venturing into an area that is currently before the courts. It is just not acceptable. I am sure the Tánaiste-----

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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A Cheann Comhairle, I have to dispute that, what I am asking is in relation to-----

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I do not care whether you dispute it or not.

It is a long-established tradition that we do not debate matters that are before the courts. I am sure the Tánaiste has a reply that I imagine-----

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I certainly have.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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-----avoids going into the responsibility of the courts, but we are not intruding on their territory.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I am not suggesting that we would at all.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are not intruding on the territory of the courts.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate the Ceann Comhairle's intervention and the Deputy's query. Regarding the Deputy's reference to the then Minister, Deputy Coveney's statement, I do not see anything in it that requires a correction of the Dáil record.

The two important points we have consistently made in terms of national security is that everything we do as a country is in line with our military neutrality and Irish sovereign decision-making. There is a challenge in going further than that in protecting our national security and the security of others. I am giving this matter ongoing reflection, but we should not take too lightly the issues around national security more generally. I would be somewhat cautious of overinterpreting various reports that have been published recently about overflights and so on.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Let us leave media reports aside. The British armed forces minister, Mr. James Heappey, told Westminster:

RAF jets have deployed into Irish airspace on occasion. It is for the Irish Government to set out their policy on why, when and how.

All I am asking is for the Tánaiste to set out the Irish Government's position, which unfortunately is as clear as mud because we are hiding behind the veneer of national security. The Irish people are entitled to know if our capabilities in terms of radar – I welcome the progress made in this respect – and our Air Corps mean we are not in a position to meet what is a basic requirement of our Defence Forces, which in the first instance is to monitor activity that is taking place in our skies and our seas, and are instead relying on others to do this pivotal work. We will then be able to work together on planning to ensure that we have the capacity to deal with these issues.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am sure the Deputy has read the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces. It is there for the public to read. We have limited capabilities to monitor or intercept foreign aircraft in Irish skies. We are a military neutral country. Given our size and so on, we have limited capabilities. That is not a secret. It was well documented by the Commission on the Defence Forces.

The eight-strong Pilatus PC-9 fleet operated by the Air Corps offers limited air-to-air and air-to-ground intercept capability. There has been significant investment in air base capability in recent years, with the programme for the supply of two C295 maritime patrol aircraft well under way and the delivery of the aircraft expected very shortly. A contract was recently awarded at a cost of €68 million for the provision of a new C295W fixed-wing military transport aircraft for the Defence Forces. This is alongside the four PC-12 aircraft equipped for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance that were acquired in 2020.

This is the essence of our capabilities in a nutshell. We are progressing the radar issue, which is needed. It is complex, but we are determined to make a comprehensive provision.