Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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17. To ask the Minister for Defence the key elements of the memorandum of understanding recently entered into with the Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom; if work has commenced on the drafting of a three-year action plan that contains the detailed programme of bilateral co-operation activities for the forthcoming year and sets the objectives for the succeeding two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6890/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) provides a framework for developing and furthering bilateral co-operation and relations between the Department of Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence. The MoU takes into account matters such as military forces training; exercises and military education; exchange of views on EU Common Security and Defence Policy; potential for joint contributions to UN Crisis Management Operations; joint procurement initiatives; pooling and sharing resources; general sharing on reform in defence services; potential for staff exchanges; sharing of information, and joint contribution to Security Sector Reform and capacity building in crisis locations. It envisages cooperation and exchanges involving both civil and military personnel. The MoU provides opportunities for more joint and collaborative work in support of international peace and security. It will also enhance the potential for further joint contributions to UN peacekeeping operations.

The approach to developing the Action Plan has been agreed with the UK and the Action Plan is at a very early stage of development. The proposed Action Plan will contain a detailed programme of bilateral co-operation activities for the forthcoming year and set the objectives for the following two years.