Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for his important question. I am happy to respond on behalf of the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney. The priority for the Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service is maintained and developed to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by the Government, including overseas deployments.

The White Paper on Defence of 2015 set out an ambitious programme of capital investment for the Naval Service, including for the mid-life refitting and upgrading of the P50 class of vessels and the replacement of the flagship LE Eithnewith a multi-role vessel. It is the Government's intention that the new vessel will provide flexible and adaptable capability for a wide range of maritime tasks.

The White Paper, in addressing Air Corps capability, provided for the replacement of the Cessna and Casa 235 fleets. The Cessnas have now been replaced by three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance, ISTAR, role, providing a substantially increased capability with their state-of-the-art surveillance technology. A further Pilatus PC-12 was procured arising from the demands of Covid. A contract for the supply of two C295 maritime patrol aircraft to replace the two Casa 235s was signed with Airbus in 2019, with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023. The C295s are larger and more capable than those they replace and will enable the Air Corps to conduct maritime patrols and surveillance across Ireland's area of maritime interest, with enhanced capabilities.

While the primary role of the Defence Forces with regard to cybersecurity, which the Senator mentioned, relates to the defence and security of their own networks and systems, the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces are committed to participating, under the leadership of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, in the delivery of measures to improve the cybersecurity of the State. The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the national development plan of €566 million over the 2022-25 timeframe. Within that capital allocation, the Defence annual capital budget for 2022 is €141 million. This will enable continued investment in defence equipment, including major platforms and barracks infrastructure.

The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, which the Senator mentioned, and the current events in Ukraine are prompting an open debate and consideration of our defence requirements. I fully accept there is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment, the roles that we wish the Defence Forces to undertake and the likely risks. The report of the commission was published on 9 February 2022, as the Senator knows. The commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capability, structures and staffing for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. I understand the commission's report is being fully considered in consultation with other Ministers and stakeholders. The intent is for the Minister for Defence to revert to the Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess.The establishment of an independent commission on the Defence Forces underpins the Government's commitment to ensuring the Defence Forces are fit for purpose, both in terms of meeting immediate requirements and in terms of seeking to develop a longer term vision beyond 2030.