Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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102. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on Ireland’s involvement in EU cooperation on security and defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46848/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The European Union's common security and defence policy (CSDP) is a policy setting the EU’s framework in the field of defence and crisis management, including defence cooperation and coordination between Member States.  

Ireland is a strong proponent of the important role the EU can play in support of international peace and security and of the UN. It is essential, therefore, that Ireland remains fully engaged in all CSDP processes and contributes fully to the development of the policy in order that we can influence its evolution.  

When the Defence Forces deploy overseas, our women and men never do so alone. We always work in close cooperation with other countries deployed on such operations.  

The establishment of PESCO represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).  Under PESCO, Member States come together in different groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations.  It is a means of enhancing interoperability with our future project partners, something that will be of great benefit for our troops on future missions overseas. Ireland is currently a Participant in one PESCO project (the Greek-led Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance project) and has Observer status on a further nine PESCO projects.  Our level of participation in PESCO is something we keep under review and any such participation is undertaken only with the approval of the Government and the Dail.  

Within the EU, it is accepted that Defence is a national competence and any decisions, including any deepening of EU cooperation, require unanimity. Through our participation in CSDP initiatives like PESCO and the Coordinated Annual Review of Defence, Ireland continues to have a strong and equal voice on defence issues within the EU institutions and to meet any commitments agreed as part of our participation in such initiatives.