Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

570. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he shares the sentiments of his counterpart in Finland, the Finnish Defence Minister, Jussi Niinistö, who recently stated that he supports reform of Finnish law to provide a legal mandate to expand the Finnish Defence Forces ability to participate in European wide international crisis management; if those who opposed Ireland's participation in the United Kingdom led battle group which also had Finnish participation would be concerned with this statement in view of general concerns regarding the use and purpose of such battle groups. [16782/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am given to understand that the changes proposed relate solely to matters where bi-lateral assistance is requested of Finland or where Finland may wish to offer such bi-lateral assistance in specific circumstances. The intention is to expand the Finnish Defence Forces' legal mandate to include providing and accepting international assistance.

As the Deputy will appreciate it is a matter for individual States including Finland and Ireland to determine their particular Security and Defence policies and arrangements. Ireland’s Defence Policy is clearly set out in the White Paper on Defence which was published last July. At this time there are no plans or identified requirements for legislative change to give effect to Ireland’s international security and defence policy as provided for in the White Paper. In addition, developments in relation to Finland’s security and defence policy have no impact on our participation in EU Battlegroups, nor on the role or operational deployment of EU Battlegroups.

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

571. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he shares the views of his predecessor, who stated he wanted Ireland to become a testing zone for advanced military and weapons guidance systems (details supplied); and if he will assure Dáil Éireann that he does not wish Ireland to become a haven for firms trading or researching such weapons of mass destruction. [16783/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I support my predecessor’s view that there is an ongoing requirement to examine new and innovative means of improving capabilities in the security and the defence domain, so that the Defence Forces are in a position to undertake the roles assigned by Government.

The Government approved arrangements in July 2011, whereby Enterprise Ireland (EI) would support the Department of Defence and Defence Forces capability development through engagement with Irish-based enterprise and research institutes on the use and application of innovative civilian technologies in the military sphere. The capabilities being researched and developed by the Defence Forces in cooperation with research companies and institutions are wide ranging. They cover capabilities such as Maritime Surveillance; Energy Conservation; Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) research including CBRN Protection, and Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) detection and destruction. The Defence Forces are a military force. Given the nature of their role on robust overseas operations, they need access to the latest communications and surveillance technologies and weapons systems in order to carry out their duties safely and effectively. This means having weapons guidance systems, simulators, surveillance systems, communications, robots and drones along with all the other elements of force protection.

While there is not an armaments industry in Ireland and it is not the intention of this Government to establish one, there are however opportunities to develop new technologies and to further develop and enhance existing systems and capabilities which will have dual military and civil application. This can be achieved through continuous engagement between Irish enterprise and research centres and the Defence Forces. The aim is to maximise synergies across both the civil and military domains and to develop leading edge technology and systems here in Ireland. Successful exploitation of current research and the knowledge which the Defence Forces can provide in this area also has the potential to contribute to the creation and retention of jobs in innovation and research in Irish Enterprises and third level institutes.

Projects proposed by institutes and companies, where they are seeking to partner with or involve Defence Forces participation, are submitted to the Defence Enterprise Committee for consideration. The Defence Enterprise Committee consists of personnel from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and Enterprise Ireland. All capabilities to be researched are vetted and agreed at the highest level in the Defence Organisation to ensure compatibility with the roles assigned to the Defence Forces by the Government.