Written answers
Tuesday, 9 April 2024
Department of Defence
Defence Forces
Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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138. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence whether the self-styled Irish Defence and Security Association is receiving State funding, either directly as an organisation or through its membership companies; whether his Department and/or the Defence Forces themselves are satisfied that it is appropriate for any organisation or association that is not under the strict aegis of Ireland’s Minister for Defence and the Defence Forces themselves, to operate under a title and logo that could be mistaken for an official Irish authority in the critical and sensitive matters of the State’s security and defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13853/24]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) was established in 2021 with a mission “to ensure Ireland develops appropriate, leading edge and trusted defence and security capabilities in the land, sea, air, space and cyber domains, in order to protect our society, create jobs, drive research and enhance Ireland’s economic growth”.
National Defence Industry Associations’ (NDIA) are the norm in many EU member states, providing support to industry operating in defence markets in a number of ways, by creating networks, disseminating information and assisting contractors to find suitable sub-contractors. They are particularly important for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
I understand that the IDSA is funded through a membership model that is subscription based through member organisations/companies that are Irish or Irish based SME’s, Research Organisations and Multinational Cooperation’s. Membership of the IDSA is a matter for that Association.
In recent years the only state funding that my Department has provided in the area of defence research, was a contribution of €250,000 towards the €2.4 million prize fund for the Science Foundation Ireland – Defence Innovation Challenge which is an innovative programme with the overarching ambition to develop new technologies, aligned with our National Defence Policy and supporting Defence Forces capability requirements, that also have the potential to deliver significant societal impacts within Ireland. Challenges in five areas plus an open challenge on disruptive technologies, were presented to Irish research institutions. These proposals were then judged by an international panel of researchers in line with best academic practice.
Details of the shortlisted and successful projects can be found on the Science Foundation Ireland website.
My Department has no authority over the IDSA and whether or not their title or logo is appropriate is not a matter for my Department.
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