Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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262. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department has conducted any assessment of the adverse effects of offshore windfarms on air defence radar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28707/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My priority as Minister for Defence is to ensure that the operational capability of the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service, is maintained to the greatest extent possible to enable the Defence Forces to carry out their roles as assigned by Government, including overseas deployments.

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces operate many different types of radar systems. Existing capabilites available to the Army include radar systems such as the Giraffe Mk4 short-range air defence system and the Foxtrack X-Band ground surveillance radar. The Air Corps use surface search radar on the CASA 235 maritime patrol aircraft and all aircraft are fitted with a transponder and the automatic identification system (AIS) for identification and tracking. The Naval Service use maritime surface search radar and the Recognised Maritime Picture (RMP) systems for surveillance and tracking.

It remains Government policy, as per the 2015 White Paper on Defence, that should additional funding, beyond that provided for in existing plans, become available the development of a radar surveillance capability for the Air Corps, will be considered.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government established an independent Commission on the Defence Forces in December 2020. The work of the Commission encompassed the consideration of appropriate military equipment capabilities, structures and staffing, and their report will inform decisions regarding the future development of the Defence Forces. The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations and there is a process underway to consider these recommendations.  This includes inter-departmental consultation as appropriate.  The intent remains to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. It would be inappropriate for me to pre-empt this deliberative process in advance of Government consideration.

In this context, the specific matter you have raised has not been explored in relation to existing Defence Forces capabilities and such exploration has not been required. Should a radar surveillance capability for the Air Corps be progressed via Government Decision then the appropriate research and preparatory work will be undertaken as is the case in relation to all Defence Forces major procurement projects.