Written answers

Thursday, 10 March 2022

Department of Defence

Defence Forces

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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4. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is considering an increase in the capacity of the Defence Forces given the impact of the Russian invasion of a sovereign state Ukraine which is also a neutral State; and the expected financial costs of an increase in capacity. [13738/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's defence policy is set out in the White Paper on Defence (2015) and the White Paper Update (2019).  Both the White Paper and the White Paper Update were based on security environment assessments carried out by interdepartmental groups.  These assessments considered the threat to Ireland of a conventional military attack as possible but unlikely.

The White Paper and the White Paper Update are clear that the security challenges are such, that no single country can deal with these alone.  The white Paper also highlights the importance of the UN and EU for collective security.  Ireland strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a position I have repeatedly reaffirmed at UN Security Council meetings on Ukraine and in EU meetings.  I would like to assure the Deputy that Ireland will continue to work with our EU partners and at the UN to shape a collective response, and has supported the adoption of a package of sanctions on Russia, some of the toughest sanctions the EU has ever imposed. 

The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the current events in Ukraine are prompting an open debate and consideration of our defence requirements.  I fully accept there is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment, the roles that we wish the Defence Forces to undertake, and likely risks.

This is why the Programme for Government gave a commitment to estabish an independent Commission on the Defence Forces to examine immediate requirements while also seeking to develop a longer term vision for beyond 2030.  The Commission was established in December 2020 and their report was published on the 9th February 2022.  Within  a relatively short period of time the Commission produced a substantial piece of work running to over 200 pages with a large number of significant recommendations.

The Commission's report is being fully considered, in consultation with Ministerial colleagues and other stakeholders.The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess.As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me at this time to pre-empt an ongoing deliberative process.  

Photo of Pádraig O'SullivanPádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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13. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the stocks of anti-armour weapons; if he will provide further information on other heavy artillery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12683/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence on a civil military basis as part of the capability development and Equipment Development Planning (EDP) process. 

This includes the provision of anti-armour defensive weapons platforms and artillery systems for the Defence Forces, in order to ensure that they can carry out the roles assigned by Government. For operational and security reasons I am not in a position to give precise figures as to the number of these anti-armour platforms and associated ammunition levels held by the Defence Forces. 

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the principal anti-armour systems in use by the Defence Forces are the SAAB made AT4 Short range anti armour weapon and the Carl Gustav 84mm recoil-less rifle platforms. The Defence Forces also operate the Lockheed Raytheon FGM-148 Javelin system. These are all shoulder fired systems operated by dismounted infantry.

Regarding artillery platforms I am advised that the Defence Forces do not operate heavy artillery platforms. The largest systems used by the Defence Forces comprise of the L118/119 105mm light gun/howitzer and the M87 120mm mortar system. Both of these non-automated systems are towed platforms and provide fire support with the aid of an integrated fire control system.

I am advised that sufficient stocks of ammunition needed for these platforms are retained by the Defence Forces to meet both training and contingent needs on-island and operational requirements overseas. In this context, the Defence Forces operate a robust stock control system to ensure that ammunition levels are maintained with fresh units being acquired as and when necessary.

As such I am satisfied that the Defence Forces have a sufficient amount of modern and effective anti-armour and artillery systems and associated ammunition to enable it to fulfil its assigned roles and taskings.

I am aware from general media and public comment regarding the potential dispatch of anti-armour munitions to Ukraine from stocks held by the Defence Forces. After serious consideration the Government has decided not to send such munitions nor indeed any other lethal aid equipment to Ukraine. Ireland remains fully aligned to its long standing position regarding military neutrality. Ireland is contributing to the European Peace Facility fund to enable non lethal equipment to be promptly sent to Ukraine. The Government is also funding humanitarian assistance.

Photo of Barry CowenBarry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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14. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the finding by the Commission on the Defence Forces that the current level of financial commitment provided to the Defence Forces delivers military capabilities which are inadequate for the defence of Ireland. [13225/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The White Paper on Defence in 2015 and the White Paper Update 2019 both include security environment assessments which were carried out by an interdepartmental working group. The assessments indicated a broad range of security challenges that were facing this state. The assessment was that a conventional military attack on this state although possible, was unlikely. The White Paper update (2019) stated that “the threats in the cyber domain, and from espionage, have been assessed as increasing since 2015 while the wider political global environment is now more complex and uncertain.”

The White Paper is clear that security challenges are such, that no single country can deal with these alone. The White Paper outlines the importance of the UN and EU in collective security and commits Ireland to fully supporting UN mandated peace support operations. As such the policy position has been that Ireland would maintain military capabilities which would enable the Defence Forces to fully contribute to UN mandated peace support operations, meet domestic security and civil support requirements, whilst also retaining capabilities for certain contingencies.

I fully acknowledge there is an ongoing requirement to consider whether the capabilities we maintain are appropriate, having regard to the security environment, the roles that we wish the Defence Forces to undertake, and likely risks. That is precisely why the Programme for Government contained a commitment to establish an independent Commission on the Defence Forces and why I moved quickly to establish the Commission. Current events are also prompting increased open debate and consideration of our defence requirements.

The Commission’s report, which was recently published, contains many detailed recommendations and there is a process underway to consider these recommendations. This necessarily requires consultation with Ministerial colleagues. As I have previously outlined, I am also keen to hear broader views on the findings and recommendations contained in the report and I will be engaging further on this, over the coming period.

The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. As the Deputy will appreciate, it would be inappropriate for me at this time to pre-empt an ongoing deliberative process.

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