Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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32. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide details on the recent memorandum of understanding signed by Ireland and the United Kingdom in the area of defence co-operation; the agreement this will involve in practical terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6882/15]

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 of 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 and the associated Action Plan will support the development of a greater mutual understanding of the policy considerations underlying our respective actions and engagement in multilateral arrangements for possible joint contributions to the UN. It 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.