Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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137. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if military equipment developed or procured as part a joint initiative between Ireland and other countries under PESCO will only be used under UN mandate. [2933/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The capabilities developed through PESCO will be owned by the Member States who participated in the project.  These capabilities can be made available for CSDP Operations, including peacekeeping, crisis management and disaster relief.  They will not be owned by the EU. 

It is a matter for each participating member State to determine for itself what capabilities it requires, and is prepared to acquire, having regard to its national security and defence policy.  The potential use of equipment procured or capabilities developed under PESCO will be a consideration for Ireland when joining a particular project.  In that regard, we will only join projects to develop a capability that will enhance our interoperability and assist with equipping our troops with the latest and best equipment and training for peace keeping, conflict prevention or the strengthening of international security in accordance with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, in accordance with the provisions of the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009.