Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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362. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide the details of an event (details supplied) organised by his Department; the details of the organisations and companies that were represented at this event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50270/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The event to which the Deputy refers took place on 6 October. Its aim was to provide information to Irish industry and research institutions with a view to identifying opportunities to collaborate on future projects.

The event was in support of Irish companies, especially SMEs, and Irish research institutions who are engaged in the development of technologies that enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces and keep them safe, whether they are on missions and operations overseas or undertaking their range of duties at home in Ireland. These companies and research projects also create high-level employment across Ireland and export cutting edge technology around the world.

The event was well attended by Irish companies and research institutes, including the higher education sector. Contributors included the European Commission (Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space), the Association of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries and the Irish Defence and Security Association. The event also involved a number of Irish and European enterprises sharing their experience of the wide-ranging opportunities that there are for Irish research institutions and industrial entities in the security and defence domain, particularly for exploitation of dual use technologies. This included a small number of companies which exhibited some of their products.

The event follows on from the 2021 publication by my Department and the Defence Forces of a Feasibility Study which, inter alia, identified the value of having a research technology and innovation capability within the Defence Organisation that focuses on technologies at lower technology readiness levels (TRL) that have broad potential utilisation in both the civil and security and defence spheres and on leveraging innovations from the civilian sector in a manner that offer potential benefits for our Defence Forces as well as for industry and academia.

The establishment of the Research, Technology and Innovation (RTI) Unit in Defence will set a new strategic direction for Defence innovation and collaboration in Ireland by driving internal innovation in the Defence Organisation and contributing to the development of a security and defence dual-use innovation eco-system. The Defence RTI Unit will also support Irish enterprise and research bodies in accessing EU funding streams, including through the European Defence Fund and the European Defence Agency and their engagement with European networks and SMEs across the EU.

Supporting Irish research and enterprise in accessing funding and in exploiting opportunities in capability development in the security and defence domain, and participation by such entities in such research and development opportunities, does not compromise Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality. These initiatives do not involve Ireland becoming a member of a military alliance nor a participant in any mutual defence arrangements. I am satisfied that this event was consistent with Ireland's foreign policy, including our participation in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy and our traditional policy of military neutrality.