Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will make a statement on the common defence research and technology fund agreed by EU Defence Ministers in March 2006. [11820/06]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Defence the common defence research and technology fund agreed to in March 2006 between EU Defence Ministers and aimed at narrowing the gap between the US and the EU in high-tech military equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11807/06]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Defence the implications for Ireland's defence budget of the new EU common defence research and technology fund, in view of the fact that member states are to pool part of their defence budgets for EU co-operation on military research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11808/06]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 507: To ask the Minister for Defence the implications for Ireland's defence budget of the new EU common defence research and technology fund, in view of the fact that member states are to pool part of their defence budgets for EU co-operation on military research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12185/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 89, 110 and 507 together.

The European Defence Agency, EDA, steering board met in Defence Ministers formation in Innsbruck, Austria, on 7 March 2006 and one of the items discussed was the need for a new mechanism for joint investment in research and technology projects. The EDA is proposing to establish a category A or opt-out programme, with an associated budget. The first area of joint work being considered is force protection, which is the detection and neutralisation of a range of threats to military personnel, vehicles and installations in the context of ESDP missions.

The agenda item was premised on the view that category A or opt-out programmes would enable more member states to contribute to the overall research and technology effort; would allow each member state to take its own decision on whether to contribute to such a programme; and would leave control firmly in the hands of those member states which choose to contribute.

While discussions took place at the meeting on the outline concept of such a programme, significant further elaboration and refinement is required before decisions can be taken, probably at the next steering board meeting in May. Participation in any EDA programme is a matter for each member state on a case by case basis and the EDA does not have the authority to force states to contribute to, or to participate in, any particular programme.

The main focus of the EDA is on obtaining better value for existing spending levels and securing improvements and greater efficiency, particularly in the area of research, technology, manufacturing and procurement. Ireland has advocated that the EU should prioritise the development of qualitative aspects of capability development. I am aware that this view, and a recognition of the need for greater efficiency and effectiveness in defence expenditure, is shared by many of my ministerial colleagues at EU level, at a time when the majority of member states, including Ireland, have no plans to increase their defence spending.

The EDA is an important forum through which the EU can seek to improve competitiveness and efficiency in the defence equipment sector, which has been notable for fragmentation and duplication. While Ireland is not a major consumer of defence equipment in relative terms, we should encourage developments which improve market efficiencies or which may yield some economies of scale for equipment procurement for the Defence Forces.

At the steering board meeting Ministers also received a progress report from the chief executive of the EDA dealing with capabilities, research and technology, long-term vision and the code of conduct on defence procurement.