Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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186. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on Ireland's participation in the European Union's Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO); the obligations this puts on Ireland; the financial cost associated with membership in the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and estimate for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24604/23]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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187. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on Ireland's participation in each individual Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) operation of which Ireland is a part of; if such projects are time limited or indefinite in nature; the expected benefits accrued arising from participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24605/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.

Ireland joined the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in 2017, the establishment of which represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under CSDP. Under PESCO, Member States come together in different project groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations.

Since joining PESCO in 2017, the only costs of our engagement have been those associated with travel to and attendance at PESCO project planning meetings by Defence Forces' Subject Matter Experts.

As of 18th May 2023, Ireland is participating in four PESCO projects and has Observer status on 19. The four projects in which we are participating are - (1) Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance; (2) Cyber Threats and Incident Response Information Sharing Platform; (3) Maritime (semi) Autonomous Systems for Mine Countermeasures and (4) Deployable Military Disaster Relief Capability Package.

(1) The main objective of Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance project is to enhance the maritime surveillance, situational awareness and potential response effectiveness of the EU, by using the existing infrastructure, deploying assets and developing related capabilities in the future. The project will integrate land based surveillance systems, maritime and air platforms in order to distribute real-time information to member states, so as to provide timely and effective response in the international waters. It aims to address new and old threats and challenges (such as energy security, environmental challenges, security and defence aspects); thus ensuring accurate Awareness and Rapid Response, so as to contribute to the protection of the EU and its citizens. As the State’s principal sea-going agency, the Naval Service provides a unique sea-going capability. The Naval Service is multi-tasked with providing a fishery protection service, general maritime patrolling and surveillance, and are ready to respond to, for example, an aid to the civil power request, a pollution incident, or a search and rescue or recovery missions. Participation in this project enables the Naval Service capability development in maritime surveillance and situation awareness, interaction with other Navies is also extremely valuable from a lessons learned and lessons identified perspective. The project is led by Greece; participating member states are Bulgaria, Hungary, Cyprus, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain. Portugal has Observer Status on the Project. The project is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

(2) The main aim of the Cyber Threats and Incident Response Information Sharing Platform project is to strengthen EU Member States’ cyber defence capabilities and response to cyber incidents by promoting cooperation in the field of cyber threat information sharing. Participation in this project will give the Defence Forces a further means to deal with both known and unknown Cyber threats. It will provide additional analysis capabilities regarding Defence Forces adversaries Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) and the Indicators of Compromise (IoCs). The adoption of this platform will also increase our interoperability with EU Member States both at home and overseas, which may save valuable time and resources when responding to an incident. The information sharing aspect will also aid in cementing our already established links with strategic partners and allow us to both contribute to and avail of a rich Cyber intelligence network. The project is led by Greece, participating member states are Cyprus, Hungary, Ireland Italy and Portugal. Observing member states are Finland, France, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland and Spain. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2025.

(3) The Maritime (semi) Autonomous Systems for Mine Countermeasures project aims to deliver a high-level collaboration and delivery of semi-autonomous underwater, surface and aerial technologies and capabilities for maritime minecountermeaures. If successful, this will allow and enable EU Member States to protect shipping, harbours, critical offshore infrastructure and sea lines of communication, and to safeguard freedom of navigation on maritime trade routes in Europe and globally. The development of autonomous vehicles, using modern technology and an open architecture, adopting a modular set up, will contribute significantly to the EU's maritime security by helping counter the threat from sea-mines and other bad actors in the maritime domain. As participants, Ireland will benefit from access to R&D and industry in driving a solution to this capability gap through potential fit out (installation) on current platforms and planned C/IED and MCM platforms (ships) as part of the fleet replacement program. This capability, when developed and delivered, will provide Ireland with a flexible, modular, innovative technology which will enable the Defence Forces to develop an increased level of protection, resilience and deterrence to mitigate against potential threats to key national infrastructure (ports, approaches and Sea Lines of Communication) and critical national infrastructure (subsea cables, renewable offshore energy). The project is led by Belgium; participating member states are France, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania. Observing Member States are Estonia, Finland, Spain, Sweden. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2030.

(4) The purpose of the Deployable Disaster Relief Capability Package project is to develop, within the PESCO framework, a tool to support the European Union’s Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) response efforts to natural and manmade disasters such as public calamities, natural disasters and pandemics, both within and outside EU territory. It aims to provide additional capabilities to those already available which are particular to the military component of member states. This will in turn enhance the capabilities and effectiveness of the overall response to emergencies. Ireland’s participation in this project will provide opportunities for interoperability training with other nations to learn and share experience and knowledge across the humanitarian response area. As a participant the Defence Forces may be required to provide trainers as required to instruct on Disaster Relief Courses at the Training Centre, there is also provision for Member States to host specialised courses in their own countries. Standardised training across all participating Member States and an exchange of knowledge and expertise in the specialised areas of disaster relief will be very beneficial. As well as establishing important contacts in the area of disaster relief, the knowledge, skills and expertise developed on these courses could then be disseminated throughout the Defence Forces, resulting in increased organisational capability. The project is led by Italy, participating member states are Austria, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy and Spain. Observers to the project are Bulgaria and Portugal. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2025.

It is important to recognise that while these projects are scheduled to be completed in the coming years the impact of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine has resulted in some delays to the projects and therefore the timelines may need to be extended.

The nineteen projects which Ireland is currently observing are: (1) Counter Unmanned Aerial System; (2) Energy Operational Function; (3) EU Military Partnership; (4) EU Radionavigation Solution; (5) European Secure Software Defined Radio; (6) European Union Network of Diving Centres; (7) Future Medium-size Tactical Cargo; (8) Harbour and Maritime Surveillance and Protection; (9) Military Mobility and (10) SOF Medical Training Centre; (11) EUFOR Crisis Response Operation Core; (12) European MALE RPAS; (13) Cyber and Information Domain Coordination Center; (14) Common Hub for Governmental Imagery; (15) Strategic C2 System for CSDP Missions and Operations; (16) Next Generation Small RPAS; (17) Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle Amphibious Assault Vehicle Light Armoured Vehicle; (18) European Patrol Corvette and (19) EU Cyber Academia and Innovation Hub.

Member States with Observer status on PESCO Projects have no voting rights and cannot influence the direction of the projects. Observer status allows Member States to gain knowledge on what the project expects to achieve and what is required from the Member States.

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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188. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on Ireland's participation in the Common Security and Defence Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24606/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is a policy setting the EU’s framework in the field of defence and crisis management, including defence cooperation and coordination between Member States. Ireland is a strong proponent of the important role the EU can play in support of international peace and security and of the UN. It is essential, therefore, that Ireland remains fully engaged in all CSDP processes and contributes fully to the development of the policy in order that we can influence its evolution.

The Strategic Compass, approved by the Foreign Affairs Council and endorsed by the European Council in March of last year, outlines the way forward for the European Union in the field of security and defence. The Strategic Compass is a means of setting out the EU's shared strategic vision for CSDP and of enhancing the role of the EU in international peace and security. Progressing the 80 actions under the Compass is well advanced. It should be noted that decision-making power in relation to the Strategic Compass' proposed actions remain a national competence.

Ireland is engaged with a number of EU defence-related initiatives and frameworks, including the European Defence Agency (EDA), the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD), the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen), the European Defence Fund (EDF) and the European Peace Facility (EPF).

The European Defence Agency (EDA) was set up in 2004 during Ireland’s Presidency of the EU and Ireland joined the Agency in July of that year. The EDA is an Agency of the European Union, which supports Member States to develop a range of capabilities and capability standards to support CSDP, in particular the deployment of military capabilities in support of Crisis Management Tasks, as outlined in the Treaty on European Union. Ireland’s participation in the Agency provides access to research and information on developing and maintaining professional capabilities and research that we cannot self-generate. This is important in terms of Ireland's ability to participate in UN-mandated Peacekeeping Operations. Ireland contributes, on an annual basis, to the operational budget of the EDA.

In May 2017, the Council endorsed the modalities to establish the Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD). This is a process which aims to create greater transparency by sharing Member States information on future defence policy, capability development, budgets and investment. All 27 EU Member States, including Ireland, participate and contribute to the CARD process.

Ireland joined the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in 2017. The establishment of PESCO represents a further development in EU Cooperation in support of international peace and security under CSDP. Under PESCO, Member States come together in different groups to develop and make available additional capabilities and enablers for peacekeeping and crisis management operations. Ireland is currently participating in four PESCO projects and is an observer on a further nineteen projects.

Ireland has participated in the EU Satellite Centre (EU SatCen) since 2007. The EU SatCen is an Agency that handles sensitive and classified data to support CSDP military operations and civilian missions. The Department of Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs contribute to the budget of the EU SatCen.

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is an industrial sectoral programme, providing funding for research and capability development, which supports the European Defence and Industrial Technology Base in delivering capabilities for Common Security Defence Policy operations. The EDF is funded within the Multiannual Financial Framework.

Ireland contributes to the funding of common costs for EU military crisis management operations through the European Peace Facility (EPF). The EPF, established in March 2021, replaced the Athena Mechanism and the African Peace Facility. Under the EPF, the Department of Defence has responsibility for the financing of common costs relating to EU military operations under the EU's CSDP. The Department of Foreign Affairs has responsibility for the funding of African peace support operations, previously handled by the African Peace Facility, as well as EU Assistance Measures in order to provide assistance to individual countries and regional or sub-regional organisations.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, the EPF has been utilised to provided assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Consistent with the terms of the Programme for Government, Ireland's share of Ukraine related assistance measures is being directed exclusively toward non-lethal support. The EU Military Assistance Mission (UAF) in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine), which provides training to Ukraine's Armed Forces is also funded via Member States contributions to the EPF.

Sixteen Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed with EU CSDP missions, eight with EUTM Mali, five with Operation Althea in Boznia and Herzegovina and three are deployed to the operational headquarters of Operation Irini in Rome. In February of this year, the Government approved the participation of the Defence Forces in EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine. The primary role of the Defence Forces will be to provide training to members of the UAF in response to their identified needs including but not limited to C-IED training (Counter Improvised Explosive Devices), EOD training (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Combat Medical and Engineering. All training will take place on the territory of EU Member States. Some elements of training have already been undertaken by the Defence Forces. The Government and Dáil also approved the participation of a naval service ship in a CSDP mission, Operation Irini in June and July of this year.