Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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158. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the proposals to increase the mobility of military personnel, material and equipment at EU level as discussed at the recent European Council meeting; the implications of same for Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29616/18]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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159. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the actions requested of Ireland in order to implement the action plan on military mobility adopted by the High Representative and the European Commission on 28 March 2018; the estimated timeframe for the completion of such actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29617/18]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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161. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of the development and implementation of a national plan for military mobility; the details of the designated national point of contact as required by the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29619/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 159 and 161 together.

On 28 March 2018, the Commission issued its Action Plan on Military Mobility following on from the November 2017 Joint Communication on improving military mobility in the EU. The Action Plan covers a number of areas: military requirements, infrastructure, dangerous goods, customs and VAT as well as cross border movement permission. 

At the recent EU Council Meeting referred to, Ireland welcomed the fact that the Council Conclusions recognise that full respect will be given to the sovereignty of EU Member States over their national territory and national decision making processes regarding military movements. This is in keeping with the Action Plan on Military Mobility and is a fundamental point. Decisions on the transit of military personnel and equipment will remain a matter for each member State. Acknowledgement in the Council Conclusions of the voluntary nature of actions taken by Member States as part of military mobility initiatives is very much welcome. 

One of the concrete actions identified in the Action Plan is the development of the Military Requirements which reflect the needs of the EU and its Member States, establishing geographical  parameters, planning needs for movement and transport, training and security needs and access to transport resources, including private and State transport infrastructure.  Technical specifications on transport infrastructure and loads is expected by July 2018, and the identification of infrastructure deemed ready is to be validated by the third quarter of 2018. A first progress report on the implementation of this Action Plan will be presented to the Member States by summer 2019.

The actions in the area of Transport Infrastructure relate to the infrastructure needs to accommodate military vehicles and suggests the identification and assessment of needs of militaries to be able to transport military vehicles – both the routes and technical requirements for the infrastructure. Member States are now invited to establish, as soon as possible, a single point of contact for information on access to transport infrastructure for military purposes and to consistently take military requirements into account when building transport infrastructure. My Department has been liaising with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in progressing this and with regard to establishing a single point of contact.

As you will recognise, the actions requested of Ireland in order to implement the Action Plan on Military Mobility are not restricted to the Defence area alone but affect many more Departments and agencies, such as Departments of Transport, Revenue Commissioners and Foreign Affairs and Trade. As such, any national discussions in relation to Military Mobility requires a whole of Government approach and cannot be resolved solely within my Department. Therefore, my Department is liaising with all relevant Government Departments and has highlighted the various responsibilities and will continue to co-ordinate the whole of Government position on Military Mobility.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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160. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of Ireland's involvement in the two projects on cross-border movement permission and on harmonising the military requirements related to customs as part of the framework of the European Defence Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29618/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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On 28 March 2018, the EU Commission issued its Action Plan on Military Mobility following on from a Joint Communication on military mobility issued in November 2017.

The Commission proposes that the Union enhance its strategic transport infrastructures to make them fit for military mobility.  Some of the areas being examined for improvement under the Action Plan include streamlining procedures for diplomatic clearance, rationalising customs regulations, and reviewing transport of dangerous goods regulations and there is on-going work in the framework of the European Defence Agency (EDA) to support this.

To this end, the EDA has established two Category A Projects, following a decision of its Steering Board, to bring forward proposals/agreements in relation to (a) Cross Border Movement Permissions and (b) Common Customs arrangements for movement of Military Goods and Personnel across the EU. EDA Category A Project proposals assume the participation of all member States with an option to opt-out at any stage, as opposed to Category B proposals whereby nations have to formally opt-in. In Ireland's case, Government and Dáil approval is required for participation in both Category A and B projects.  

Two Ad Hoc Working Groups will be established within the European Defence Agency to discuss each Category A project and Ireland will be represented at the meetings of these groups during the development of the technical arrangements to ensure that no obligation is placed on member States and that national sovereignty and procedures are respected.  The first meeting of the Group on the customs issues met yesterday, 3 July and the first meeting of the Group on Movement Permissions will meet on 28 September.

Following completion of the development of the technical arrangements by the working groups, Ireland will assess its position in relation to participation in the two Category A projects.