Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:26 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the State’s role or interactions with the European Defence Agency. [14015/12]
View answerWednesday, 14 March 2012
Questions (26)
Written answers
The European Defence Agency (EDA) was established under a Joint Action of the Council of Ministers on 12 July, 2004. Following Government approval, Ireland joined the European Defence Agency (EDA) when it was established during the Irish Presidency in 2004. Ireland participates in the framework of the Agency and I represent Ireland on the EDA Steering Board along with Defence Ministers of all participating EU Member States.
The primary reason for Ireland's interaction and participation in the European Defence Agency is to support the development of Defence Forces capabilities for crisis management and international Peace Support Operations. Since its inception, the Agency has made significant progress on many military capability projects and programmes in support of EU crisis management.
As part of the EDA's annual work programme, Ireland participates in project teams and working groups engaged in the ongoing work in various capability development areas that will be of benefit to the Defence Forces. For example improved communication and network systems for use on the ground in operations; health and medical support for military operations, and the development of improved Counter-IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) capability to enable military forces operate safely in an environment where such devices are present. From their experience in dealing with Improvised Explosive Devices, the Defence Forces provide technical advice and support to the Agency.
The four main initiatives that Ireland is currently involved in are:
the Joint Investment Programme on Force Protection (JIP-FP) which was launched by the Agency in 2007.
the Maritime Surveillance Project launched in 2011.
the Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear protection project launched in 2011.
Ireland has taken a lead role in a Naval Training study, involving a group of eleven Member States, launched in 2012.
In 2007 Ireland joined the Joint Investment Programme on Force Protection. The Programme covers 18 specific research and technology goals under 5 capability areas. An Irish Company was successful in two bids by a consortium and secured contracts to the value of €750,000. All of the studies in this programme will be completed in the coming year.
The Maritime Surveillance project involves a group of interested Member States joining together to further develop a Recognised Maritime Picture (RMP) exchange network. An RMP is a picture or map that shows all vessels and activities that are present in a particular maritime area. It links to national and international data and information on vessels, the marine environment, infrastructure etc. that has been compiled from various monitoring and surveillance systems.
In order to improve and enhance CBRN capabilities Ireland has joined a Joint Investment Programme on CBRN. The scope of the programme ranges from the identification of emerging technology to CBRN protection as an operational capability, aimed at developing detection, identification, decontamination and medical countermeasures. The programme will involve research, technology development and demonstration activities.
In January this year, a proposal presented by Ireland was accepted by the European Defence Agency, whereby Ireland will lead a study on Naval Mariner training. The objective of the study is to review and evaluate what training is currently available across the Union with a view to consolidating EU capabilities in this area and deliver value for money training for our naval mariners.
In conclusion, Ireland's interaction and participation in the European Defence Agency means that we have access to research and information on developing and maintaining professional capabilities and research that we cannot self generate for crisis management and international Peace Support Operations. It also allows us to keep abreast of best practice and new developments in the defence environment particularly as it impacts on multinational crisis management operations.