Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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24. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has had any discussions with the president of the European Commission regarding the establishment of a commissioner for defence and security; his understanding of the role and function of this new position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36392/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On the 17^th September last, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced Mr. Andrius Kubilius as the EU Commissioner-designate for Defence and Space. All of the Commissioners-designate will have a confirmation hearing with one, or more, of the European Parliament's committees. In the case of the Defence and Space portfolio, that confirmation hearing will be with both the Foreign Affairs and Industry committees and it will be held on the 6^th November next.

I have not had any discussion with President Von der Leyen about this appointment. However, officials in both the Departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs have ongoing engagement with the EU Commission at various levels, regarding the modalities of this appointment and other matters in this area.

The newly formed Commissioner role is logically divided into two distinct bodies of work that have significant overlap and dependencies, Defence and Space.

In the context of Defence, I understand the function of this role will be framed around the President’s Mission Letter, and accordingly will involve amongst other things, the development of a White Paper on the Future of European Defence. This proposed White Paper is expected to be delivered within the first 100 days of the commencement of the new Commissioner’s mandate and is expected to address key issues such as defence investment, developing capabilities and building resilience.

The Commissioner for Defence and Space has been mandated to specifically address issues such as harnessing the potential for civ-mil cooperation, supporting the role of SMEs in defence industry, facilitating joint procurement and enhancing preparedness. This will involve the implementation of the European Defence Industrial Strategy, reinforcing the European Defence Fund and incentivising common procurement through the Common Procurement Act.

In addition, the role will involve a focus on reducing the EU’s vulnerabilities to Cyber and Hybrid attacks and the proposed development of common projects on Air and Cyber Defence.

In the context of Space, the Commissioner has been tasked with implementing the Space Strategy for Security and Defence, fostering a strong and innovative space industry and maintaining the EU’s autonomous access to Space.

The decision-making power with regard to Defence remains a national competence under the European Treaties, and it remains a matter for Ireland, and every other individual EU Member State to decide its own way forward.