Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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38. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence to detail any cooperation between his Department and NATO, including, but not limited to, PESCO and the EU Common Security and Defence Policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6081/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Defence Policy Review 2024, building on the 2015 White Paper, recognise that there is a requirement for Ireland to engage proactively with the UN, the EU, the OSCE and NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP). Cooperation with all international bodies and institutions shows Ireland's commitment to international peace and security.

With regards to NATO, Ireland joined PfP in 1999. Since then cooperation with NATO under PFP has been important in the development of the peacekeeping capabilities of our Defence Forces and their interoperability with other peacekeeping contributing nations.

Ireland agreed its framework for cooperation, the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP), with NATO in November 2023. The ITPP primarily focuses on the development of military capabilities and interoperability, but it is also reflective of the changed security environment currently, and takes into consideration a whole of Government response to security and defence. It also spans across to the Department of Foreign Affairs and to the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications led goals. Ireland's ITPP allows for cooperation in efforts to tackle cyber and hybrid threats, in enhancing resilience, and on maritime security, as well as on work to address the impact of conflict on women and girls through the women, peace, and security agenda, all of which require a whole of Government approach.

The Deputy will be aware that Ireland’s engagement with the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is entirely separate to its PfP engagement. CSDP is the policy setting out the EU’s framework for cooperation 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.

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

Ireland is also participating in the current German-led EU Battlegroup 2025, as part of its commitment to CSDP. The Defence Forces contribution to the Battlegroup is approximately 191 personnel. In 2023 also, the Government approved the participation of the Defence Forces in EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine). To date, Defence Forces personnel have delivered 17 modules of training to Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel in areas such as demining and clearance, combat lifesaver, drill instructor, basic training and junior leadership.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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39. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 116 of 5 February 2025, if Ireland intends to purchase military equipment from Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6080/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There is currently no intention to purchase military equipment from Israel.

Since the ICJ advisory opinion of 19 July 2024, the Department has included provisions in its tender documentation regarding the right to reject offers from third countries, which includes Israel, on defence and security grounds, in line with the Commission guidance on the procurement of defensive equipment under Directive 2009/18/EU.