Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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256. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if overtures have been made at EU level to obtain assistance towards coastal surveillance given the vulnerability of Ireland’s extensive coastline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13766/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The EU and its Member States, including Ireland, have strategic interests in identifying and addressing security challenges linked to the sea.

In 2014, the EU launched a Maritime Security Strategy (EUMSS), defining maritime security as ‘a state of affairs of the global maritime domain, in which international law and national law are enforced, freedom of navigation is guaranteed and citizens, infrastructure, transport, the environment and marine resources are protected’. This launch was followed, in 2015, by an Action Plan to implement the EUMSS, and a revised Action Plan in 2018. Ireland contributed to the revision process of the EUMSS Action Plan in 2018 and input was provided by the Department of Defence, the Naval Service and the Department of Foreign Affairs. Council conclusions of June 2021 sought to engage with member states to see if the EUMSS and its Action Plan should be updated. In December 2021 it was decided to begin this work and it is expected to advance further following completion of the work on the EU's Strategic Compass. 

My Department has applied for EU funding in support of the Defence Forces via the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) Operational Programme (2014-2020). Approval in principle has been received for a number of relevant projects. These projects include funding to support the upgrade of the Air Corps Maritime Patrol Aircraft as well as the upgrade of Fishery Monitoring Centre IT system.

My Department has also begun discussions with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to investigate the possibility of securing additional future funding to support Naval Service and Air Corps operations under the new European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) 2021 – 2027.

Ireland also participates in Maritime Surveillance projects at EU level both through the European Defence Agency and through PESCO. These projects assist in increasing Ireland's maritime surveillance capability.

As a committed EU Member State, Ireland supports fully the efforts of EU Member States to improve the Union's capacity to respond to the prevailing challenging security environment, including in the areas of defence and maritime surveillance.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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264. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a new level of strength of the Defence Forces might be examined with a view to ensuring optimal efficacy in the event of being called upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13774/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for Government committed to establishing a Commission on the Defence Forces to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces. The Commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps, Naval Service and the Reserve Defence Force.

The Commission was established by Government decision in December 2020 which also agreed its terms of reference and membership. The report was published on the 9th February 2022. 

The Commission undertook a significant body of work encompassing their wide-ranging terms of reference.  The report contains 69 main recommendations and together with sub recommendations, there are 130 recommendations.   

The report proposes significant changes for the Defence Forces, including to Defence Forces culture, high-level command and control structures, and for the level of Defence provision in Ireland.  Clearly, there are matters that will require careful consideration and in some critical aspects inter-departmental discussion and agreement. This includes the level of resourcing that may be allocated to Defence, legislative implications and the governance framework that will be required to underpin any changes the Government approve on foot of the Commission's report. 

I will also be seeking the views of my Department and the Defence Forces.  The Defence Forces Representative Associations will be consulted on all matters that fall within the scope of representation, relating to the implementation of any approved plan.  I will also engage with key stakeholders and the Oireachtas, and I welcome the Dáil statement on the report which took place on the 16th February.  I firmly believe that this is an opportunity to have a mature debate around the type of defence capabilities that we require and I am very much open to such a discussion. Current events are highlighting the importance of such a debate.

The intent is that following relevant consultation, and before the summer recess, I will to revert to Government with a proposed response to the Commission's recommendations and a high-level action plan. This high level plan will set out proposed timelines and oversight arrangements for its implementation.

It would be inappropriate for me to engage in speculative discussion regarding the outcome of an ongoing deliberative process, prior to completion of that process and Government approval of any proposed plan of action.