Written answers
Tuesday, 11 May 2021
Department of Defence
European Defence Agency
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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434. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the European Defence Agency projects which Ireland is currently involved in tabular form; and if he will provide an overview of the nature of the projects. [24695/21]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established by a joint action of the Council of the European Union in 2004 (revised on 12thJuly 2011 Council Decision 2011/411/CFSP), "to support the Member States and the Council in their effort to improve the Union’s defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy as it stands now and develops in the future”.
On 6 July 2004, the Government approved Ireland’s participation in the framework of the European Defence Agency. The primary reason for Ireland's participation is to support the development of Defence Forces capabilities for peacekeeping and international crisis management operations.
Ireland's participation in EDA projects and programmes is underpinned by legislation, the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, which stipulates Government and Dáil approval is required for participation by Ireland in the adhoc projects of the agency.
Ireland's current involvement in EDA adhoc projects, with an overview of each project, is set out in the following tabular form:
| Project Title: | Project Overview: |
|---|---|
| Co-operation on Cyber Ranges in the European Union | This project aims to maintain and improve cyber resilience as well as the levels of cyber awareness, insight and expertise of Member States’ personnel. The project offers a platform for information exchange which will contribute to common standards, transfer of knowledge and common practices, and will provide opportunities for joint training and exercises. This project commenced in 2016 and is due to be completed in 2021. There is no financial contribution for this project. |
| European Centre for Manual Neutralisation Capabilities (ECMAN) | The aims of the ECMAN project is to develop Manual Neutralisation capabilities at the highest standards to contribute to an overall Countering Improvised Explosive Devices Strategy and to have personnel trained with the highest possible qualification and an extensive up-to-date knowledge on the current and expected future development of the multinational Manual Neutralisation capability. This project commenced in 2017 for a term of 6 years. Ireland's contribution to this project is €75,000 per year. |
| Joint Procurement Arrangements for the EU SatCom Market | This project aims to provide commercially available satellite communications (fixed and mobile) as well as related services and options for other communication services for operations through the establishment of one or more FrameworkAgreements on behalf of the contributing Members, to promote ease of access, improve efficiency and secure economies of scale through joint procurement. This project commenced in 2017 for a term of 4 years. There is no finanical contribution applicable to this project unless you drawdown services from the joint procurement arrangements. |
| Military Search | The overall aim of the Military Search programme is to develop common processes, techniques and procedures for military search for contributing Member States. This project commenced in 2018 for a term of 6 years where Ireland's contribution will be €70.000 over the term of the project. |
| Maritime Surveillance (MARSUR) Networking - Operations Support & Development (MARSUR III) (Awaiting Dáil approval to participate in this project) | This is the third iteration of the MARSUR projects. The main objective of the EDA Maritime Surveillance programme is to further develop a Recognised Maritime Picture (RMP) exchange network amongst Member States. An RMP is a picture or map that shows all vessels and activities that are present in a particular maritime area. It links to national and international data and information on vessels, the marine environment, infrastructure etc. that has been compiled from various monitoring and surveillance systems. The MARSUR Project continues to enhance, upgrade and develop the capability for participating Member States to share different levels of classified information across the network. This project commenced in 2020 and will run for a term of 6 years with an annual contribution of €50.000 per year. We are currently awaiting the approval of Dáil Éireann to participate in this third iteration of the project. |
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