Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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808. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason that services have been restricted (details supplied); the efforts that are being made to improve these services to allow meaningful communications with home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20436/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The 65th Infantry Group, comprising approximately 138 personnel, deployed to the United Nations Disengagement Observer  Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights earlier this month for a six month tour of duty. The Group is based in Camp Faouar on the Syrian side of the area of separation.

As a result of an increase in the cost of fuel and energy consumption in the UNDOF mission, the UNDOF Force Commander introduced a number of measures aimed at conserving fuel and energy. These included turning off electrical power in Camp Faouar for approximately four hours each night. Troops from nine Troop Contributing Nations, including Ireland, live and work in Camp Faouar and were all affected by this cost saving measure.

In view of the importance of troops being able to maintain regular contact with home and the vital role that families play in supporting personnel serving overseas serving and the contribution that they play in the success of the mission, representations were made, including by the Officer Commanding the 65th Infantry Group, to minimise the disruption for Irish personnel in so far as possible..

I am pleased to say that last week the UN confirmed that the decision to cut off electrical power for a number of hours every night has now been reversed and full internet services have therefore now been restored.

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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809. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department’s latest resource plans across the Irish Defence Forces given the crisis in Ukraine and Ireland’s well stated military deficiencies in terms of home Island defence; the actions that have been agreed to in the interim and prior to any delays in awaiting recommendations from pending Defence Forces Commission recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20454/22]

Simon 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.   

The White Paper set out an ambitious programme of capital investment for the Naval Service, including the mid-life refit and upgrade of the P50 class of vessels, and the replacement of the flagship LÉ Eithne with a multi-role vessel (MRV).  The MRV, is an important element of the Defence Equipment Development Plan and is provided for in the Government's National Development Plan as a major capital project. It is the Government’s intention that this new vessel will provide a flexible and adaptive capability for a wide range of maritime tasks.   

The White Paper, in addressing Air Corps capability, provided for the replacement of the Cessnas and Casa 235 fleets.  The Cessnas have now been replaced by three Pilatus PC-12 aircraft in the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) role providing a substantially increased capability with their state of the art surveillance technology.   A further Pilatus PC-12 was also procured arising from the demands of Covid.  A contract for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft to replace the two Casa 235s was signed with Airbus in 2019, with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023.  These C295s are larger and more capable aircraft than those they replace and will enable the Air Corps to conduct maritime patrols and surveillance across Ireland's area of maritime interest, with enhanced capabilities.

Equipment projects for the Army include the midlife upgrade of the Army's fleet of 80 Mowag Piranha III armoured personnel carrier vehicles which is well underway as well as the completion of the delivery of an additional 30 Armoured Utility Vehicles. The Army's softskin fleet continues to be updated also with over 220 vehicles due for delivery in 2022.  

The Department of Defence has received a capital allocation under the National Development Plan of €566m over the 2022-2025 timeframe. Within that capital allocation the Defence annual capital budget for 2022 is €141m. This will enable continued investment in defence equipment, including major platforms, and barracks infrastructure. 

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.   

The report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was published on the 9th February 2022.  The Commission's terms of reference included the consideration of appropriate capabilities, structures and staffing for the Army, the Air Corps and the Naval Service.  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. 

The establishment of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces underpins the Government's commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces are fit for purpose, both in terms of meeting immediate requirements and also in terms of seeking to develop a longer term vision beyond 2030.

The Deputy will note the strong emphasis by the EU on diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the current situation in Ukraine.  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.  

The Government remains resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and reiterates the call on Russia to cease all hostilities immediately and to withdraw from Ukraine unconditionally. Ireland is providing €20 million in humanitarian assistance to the UN and the Red Cross to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance in Ukraine and in neighbouring countries.