Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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87. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the parameters for Ireland joining European defence projects into the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34168/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s engagement with European defence policy takes place within the framework of the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), which sets the EU’s policy in the field of defence and crisis management, including defence cooperation and coordination between Member States. 

The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) provides the EU with the capacity to undertake peacekeeping and conflict prevention missions and to strengthen international security in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.

Ireland’s participation in European defence projects is founded on the need to develop capabilities to ensure our Defence Forces can participate in peacekeeping missions, increase the level of interoperability between member States and to maintain Ireland’s security and defence interests. 

Within the EU, it is accepted that the area of defence and security is a national competence. The treaties require that the EU respects the specific and different policies of member states in the area of security and defence and Ireland continues to have an equal voice on defence and security issues within the EU institutions.

Indeed, during the course of the evolution of the CSDP, our EU partners have always fully respected Ireland’s sovereignty, independence and neutrality. The legal guarantees given by the European Council in June 2009 confirmed that the EU’s security and defence policy does not affect or prejudice Ireland’s traditional policy of military neutrality. 

The Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007 underpins Ireland’s participation in certain European Defence Agency projects and sets out the requirement for Government and Dáil approval.  The Programme for Governments states the need for Government and Dáil approval in relation to Ireland’s participation in PESCO projects.  I don't anticipate any change in this approach.