Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Defence the implications for defence spending of recommendations from the Assembly of the Western Union to increase research technology and development investment. [25970/05]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Defence the implications for defence spending of recommendations from the Assembly of the Western European Union to launch a genuine European military space observation programme and to incorporate an intelligence policy based on satellites into the European security and defence policy. [25972/05]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Defence the implications for defence spending of recommendations from the Assembly of the Western European Union to improve intelligence capabilities. [25971/05]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Defence the implications for defence spending of recommendations from the Assembly of the Western European Union to increase military capabilities. [25969/05]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Defence the implications for defence spending of recommendations from the Assembly of the Western European Union to establish a permanent multinational operations headquarters. [25973/05]

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Defence the implications for defence spending of recommendations from the Assembly of the Western European Union to make financial resources available to the European capability action plan. [25974/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 21, 25, 39, 44 and 57 together.

There are no implications for defence spending arising from the recommendations of the Western European Union Assembly. Ireland is not a member of the Western European Union, but holds observer status. Following the Treaty of Amsterdam, the EU took over the WEU's crisis management functions but the WEU continues in existence in relation to certain functions arising from its treaties, to which Ireland is not a party, and in relation to some residual administrative elements. These include: the modified Brussels Treaty, which involves: Article V, the mutual defence provisions; Article IX, institutional dialogue with the WEU Assembly; the reorganisation and future opening to the public of the WEU archives; and the management of pensions.

The WEU Assembly represents the parliamentary dimension of Western European Union and essentially provides a consultative dimension to the Union vis-À-vis the WEU Council, which comprises the Foreign and Defence Ministers of WEU member states. While the council has not met since 2000, the assembly continues to meet to discuss and debate issues in relation to European security and defence. European national parliaments can send delegations to the assembly, which currently has some 400 members. Committee meetings are also held on a regular basis together with colloquies, conferences and seminars on specific topics. As an observer, Ireland can send up to four delegates to attend the assembly. The nomination of delegates is solely a matter for the Oireachtas.

As I have already stated, the European Union, through its European security and defence policy, ESDP, has taken over the crisis management functions of the WEU. Many of the issues highlighted in the recommendations of the assembly simply echo current initiatives within ESDP, which include the development of EU capabilities pursuant to the European capabilities action plan to address identified capability shortfalls in relation to EU crisis management operations. As Deputies will be aware, capabilities is a key issue for the European Defence Agency, EDA, which is tasked with supporting the EU in overcoming capability shortfalls together with supporting rationalisation in the European defence equipment market and consolidation of R and T investment.

I am supportive of measures, which may emerge within the European security and defence policy and through the EDA, which could lead to future efficiencies in defence spending. I expect that the work of the EDA in the field of defence capabilities development, research, acquisition and armaments, by promoting efficiencies, could yield economies of scale for the procurement of equipment for the Defence Forces. I emphasise that the main focus of these measures by the EU and the EDA is not on increasing defence expenditure, but rather, is towards obtaining better value for existing spending levels.

In the context of the broader development of the EU's capacity to carry out both civilian and military crisis management operations, Ireland has advocated that the EU should prioritise the development of qualitative aspects of capability development. I am aware that this view is shared by many of my ministerial colleagues at EU level at a time when the majority of member states, including Ireland, has no plans to increase their defence spending.

To summarise, none of these issues or developments implies increased defence expenditure. In essence the key issue is achieving greater return on existing investment though rationalisation, consolidation and co-operation. Moreover, notwithstanding the recommendations of the WEU Assembly or initiatives or proposals from any other source, defence expenditure is and will remain a national sovereign decision for each member state.