Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 March 2013
10. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Defence the way he proposes to develop capabilities in support of Common Security and Defence Policy and freedom, security and justice through enhanced co-operation between the European Defence Agency and the European Commission in the field of research and innovation in the security sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13261/13]
View answerOne of the Ireland’s priorities in the defence arena during our Presidency of the Council of the European Union is the development of capabilities in support of the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, through enhanced co-operation between the European Defence Agency and the European Commission in the field of research and innovation in the security sector. The European Commission has a role via its regulatory function and wants to reinforce competitiveness in the defence market and help member states get better value for money. Given the cuts in defence budgets throughout Europe, duplication of capability development is no longer an option. Therefore, collaboration on equipment programmes between the European Defence Agency and the Commission and other relevant agencies, is being progressed.
To this end, in 2011, the Commission task force on defence industries and markets was established. The aim of the task force is to explore different policy options available to the Commission to strengthen the European defence equipment market and further enhance the competitiveness of the defence industry. The task force operates in full collaboration with the European Defence Agency and the European external action service. The task force has identified three priority areas for advancement, namely, industrial policy, research and innovation, and the Internal Market. Working with the European Commission, the aim is to develop research and innovation synergies in areas of dual use technology such as space, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and cyber defence.
European defence experts will gather in Brussels on 21 March for the European Defence Agency annual conference. Will the Minister for Defence, Deputy Shatter, be in attendance at that event? Can the Minister of State tell us the role Ireland plays in research and innovation in the security sector? Is it expanding and is this an area the Government is looking to grow as a research area?
A recent European Defence Agency event on resilient threat management in 2013, a partnership between the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Defence Agency, took stock of the efforts dedicated to countering improvised explosive devices, while pointing in the direction of the future. According to the reply to a recent parliamentary question to the Minister for Defence, there has been a significant increase in the number of callouts of the members of the Defence Forces to tackle explosive devices found around the country. In 2010, there were 53 callouts for viable improvise explosive devices, 70 in 2011, 96 in 2012 and 21 to date in 2013. It appears these monstrous devices are growing in number and our Defence Forces are being called upon to deal with them. Does the Minister of State have an idea why there is an increase in this type of activity and what plans the Department has to address it?
The activity of the Army in such cases is in aid of the civilian power and to deal with explosive devices due to criminal gangs North and South, some of whom are involved in drugs. It is important the Army has the best possible training and equipment. In the procurement of any new technology, it is important we get the best possible deal. One of the main issues is to develop synergy in funding civil and military goods, developing the technology and making sure the people dealing with these devices are safe and trained in such a way that our people, such as civilians, are not injured or killed as a result of the devices going off.
