Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department has examined the potential of using remotely operated vehicles to monitor Ireland’s network of undersea cables; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31130/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Given the importance of protecting the subsea domain and the commitment received from Government, there is a significant body of work already underway to ensure that the Defence Forces have the required capabilities with equipment projects in various stages of the project lifecycle.

The Naval Service currently operate ROV’s which provide a search capability. As part of the ongoing development of capabilities, two additional ROV projects are approved as part of the Equipment Development plan and both are in the planning phase. Other seabed mapping capabilities are also in the process of procurement.

In relation to the subsea domain, a programme of work has been approved as part of the overall Equipment Development plan. The first project within that programme which will see the Naval Service acquire sonar capability which will be used to enhance our subsea domain awareness and will contribute to the protection of subsea cables and pipelines.

A civil/military project team has made significant progress on this project and I intend to make an announcement regarding a contract for sonar equipment shortly.

This new acquisition will enhance awareness below the surface, contributing to the overall maritime picture available to Naval Service and the wider Defence Forces. This is a complex project and a new capability and work in training personnel and establishing the procedures and structures required will continue in the period up to the delivery and operationalisation of the system.

With the initial project at contract stage, subsequent phases will now be progressed.

In addition, my Department is preparing a 12-year Capability Development Programme which will identify and cost, at a high level, the capability requirements for the Defence Forces out to 2040 across all domains of operation including the subsea domain. This is an ongoing piece of work which will consider what equipment is best to deliver these required capabilities.