Written Answers Nos. 1-20
10. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Defence with regard to his Department's White Paper on Defence, his views on a change to the State's policy and definition of military neutrality, and if he will consider the use of Shannon Airport by the military of the United States of America to be a breach of that military neutrality, and of other policies under the Defence portfolio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34522/15]
View answerThe White Paper on Defence, which was published this summer, following a broad and extensive consultative process, did not change Ireland's policy of military neutrality.
Our policy of military neutrality remains a core element of Irish foreign policy. The Government’s recent review of foreign policy and the Defence White Paper confirmed that Ireland will continue to maintain a policy of military neutrality which is characterised by non-membership of military alliances and non-participation in common or mutual defence arrangements.
Neutrality has always been a matter of policy and has never been a matter of law either constitutional or statutory. Ireland's policy of military neutrality was formed in an era when inter-State conflict was the key issue of national security for most States. The State’s policy of remaining outside of military alliances has remained in place ever since. Thankfully, the threat of inter-State war in Europe is much diminished, but there will continue to be new and emerging threats in the defence and security environment.
The reality remains that the world continues to evolve to such an extent that no one country alone can respond adequately to the threats in the defence and security environment and inevitably there will be threats and challenges that have not yet been anticipated. Such security challenges will require an enhanced collective and comprehensive approach, and there will be an increasing emphasis on security co-operation.
The issue of overflights and the use of Shannon are the responsibility of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. However, the Deputy will be aware that successive Governments have made overflight and landing facilities available at Shannon Airport to the United States for well over 50 years. These arrangements do not amount to any form of military alliance with the US and are governed by strict conditions, applied to ensure compatibility with our traditional policy of military neutrality.
Finally, it goes without saying that all our policy responses must realistically reflect current and future security challenges and should be able to accommodate the necessary responses, both national and collective without prejudice to our policy of military neutrality.
11. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence the role the Defence Forces will play in supporting employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34449/15]
View answerIt is recognised that the Defence Forces has a limited role in relation to the employment support agenda. Notwithstanding this however, in mapping out the future for Defence in the period ahead, the Government and I consider it important that the Defence Forces contribute to the Government’s commitment to a strengthened approach across the economy to social responsibility.
Initiatives in this regard are already being undertaken by Defence across four different dimensions:
1. Maintaining and delivering employment opportunities through recruitment to the Defence Forces as recruits and cadets;
2. Delivering highly qualified and experienced personnel through the development and implementation of certified HETAC and FETAC training schemes within the Defence Forces;
3. Provision of intern, work experience and work placement opportunities for unemployed people including graduates;
4. Provision of advice and support to Enterprise Ireland-supported companies and research institutions in the defence and security sector in the area of research and innovation.
In addition, the Government has decided to put in place a new employment support initiative with the direct involvement of the Defence Forces. The initiative will draw on the acknowledged training skills and capacities of the Defence Forces. This initiative was announced in the White Paper on Defence which I launched in August of this year.
I see that the essential features of the initiative will be to provide a training intervention over a number of months drawing on Defence Forces’ skills, capacities and facilities. This will be aimed at a specific group in the 18-24 year old range who might otherwise struggle to break out of cycles of disadvantage. The initiative will provide the opportunity to participate in an employment skills-focused development programme provided by the Defence Forces. In this regard, the programme will seek to incorporate elements of distinct marketable and certifiable skills which will assist individuals both in their capacity to participate fully in society as well as their ability to obtain sustained employment or pursue further education for this purpose.
I expect that the initiative will involve interventions from a variety of competences and public sources built around and timed to ensure the successful completion of the programme by the individuals selected to participate. The Department of Social Protection will work with the Defence Forces to promote awareness of the initiative and will authorise the retention of any income support payments for the duration of the programme. It is expected that successful participation in the initiative will give participants improved prospects of competing for sustainable employment in the broader workforce.
I have set up a workgroup that includes representatives of the Defence Organisation and the Department of Social Protection and they are actively developing the detail of the initiative in consultation with key stakeholders. I expect that an initial pilot will take place in 2016.
12. Deputy Helen McEntee asked the Minister for Defence with reference to section 9.3 of the White Paper on Defence that he published in August 2015, if he will provide, in detail, his Department’s ambitions for the development of Civil Defence; if he will discuss current and future supports from his Department for an organisation (details supplied) if he will acknowledge its contribution to life in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34256/15]
View answerThe White Paper on Defence, which was published in August 2015, sets out the policy framework for the Defence Organisation for the next ten years and beyond.
The White Paper affirms the Government’s commitment to the continued development of Civil Defence. The future of Civil Defence will continue to be developed around its central strategic objective of supporting the Principal Response Agencies, (that is, an Garda Síochána, the HSE and the local authorities,) in a variety of emergency and non-emergency situations. This includes providing assistance in severe weather events, flooding and missing person searches.
The Government will establish a new Inter-agency Guidance Team to guide the continued development of Civil Defence. This team will be led by the Department of Defence and will include representatives of an Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, the HSE, local authorities and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. Representation will also be sought from the County and City Managers Association and the Civil Defence Officers’ Association.
The purpose of the guidance team will be to help to ensure that Civil Defence services and capabilities are developed in response to the evolving needs and requirements of the Principal Response Agencies under the system of Major Emergency Management, at local regional and national level.
The White Paper includes a commitment to introduce new legislation governing Civil Defence. Civil Defence currently operates under a variety of legislation, some of it dating back to 1939. The Government recognises the need to provide a more modern aggregated piece of legislation.
Civil Defence has good working relationships with a variety of volunteer-based groups involved in emergency supports. This includes Mountain Rescue, the Irish Red Cross, St John’s Ambulance and the Order of Malta. The White Paper commits Civil Defence to continue to work closely these organisations.
The volunteer ethos of Civil Defence is a hallmark of great pride and one which the Government wish to support into the future. While the Order of Malta do not fall under my remit as Minister for Defence, I am happy to acknowledge the contribution all the volunteer-based groups make to community life, not just in Meath, but right across the country.
13. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence if he envisages that Ireland will dispatch another naval vessel on humanitarian missions after the LE Samuel Beckett mission ends on 30 November 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34257/15]
View answerFollowing a Government Decision on 12 May 2015, an Irish Naval Vessel, L.É. Eithne, was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May, 2015, to assist the Italian Authorities with the collective effort to save lives in the Mediterranean. When L.É. Eithne completed her deployment in July 2015, she was replaced by L.É. Niamh.
L.É. Samuel Beckett, which is currently deployed, replaced L.É. Niamh in the operation and commenced patrolling duties on the waters between Libya and Sicily on 01 October 2015. On Monday 05 October L.É. Samuel Beckett rescued 242 migrants. L.É. Samuel Beckett is the third ship to join the mission, following the successful deployments of L.É. Eithne and L.É. Niamh which rescued a combined total of 7,397 migrants. Tragically, 39 bodies were also recovered by L.É. Niamh. While the duration of the deployment of L.É. Samuel Beckett is subject to ongoing assessment of the crisis, it is intended that this rotation, up to the end of November 2015, will complete the Naval Service’s participation in the mission.
The deployment of naval assets to support Italy in addressing the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean has been very significant. Ireland’s participation has been warmly welcomed and positively endorsed by the Italian authorities who appreciate the costs and demands of such deployments.
The question of a further deployment at some stage in the future will be considered in the context of the ongoing situation in the Mediterranean and the overall EU response thereto, the demands on the Defence Forces, our overseas commitments and available resources.
14. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence the co-ordinated strategies that will be put in place for 2016 regarding the European Union Naval Force Operation–Mediterranean; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34258/15]
View answerThe EU military mission EUNAVFOR MED is one element of a comprehensive approach to addressing the migration crisis in the South Central Mediterranean. The Council Decision to launch the mission was adopted at the formal Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 22 June 2015.
The operation will be implemented in sequential phases and the first phase, to support the detection and monitoring of migration networks through information gathering and patrolling in accordance with international law, is completed. The second phase involving the targeting, seizure and diversion of the vessels of human smugglers and traffickers is divided into two parts -
Part (i) to undertake these actions on the high seas under the conditions provided for by applicable international law, including UNCLOS and the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants, and
Part (ii), in accordance with any applicable UN Security Council Resolution or consent of the coastal State concerned, to undertake these actions on the high seas or in the territorial and internal waters of that State, under the conditions set out in that Resolution or consent.
The third phase will involve taking all necessary measures against vessels including through disposal or rendering them inoperable and will also require a UN Security Council Resolution or consent of the coastal State concerned.
On 14 September, the General Affairs Council (GAC) adopted the assessment that conditions have been met to move to Phase 2 Part (i). In accordance with the Council Decision of 18 May establishing the mission, the Political Security Committee (PSC) agreed the legal decision on 28 September to make the transition to Phase Two, Part (i). Ireland which is fully supportive of the EU approach to this crisis, reaffirmed its political support for the transition to Phase 2 Part (i) at these meetings. Phase 2 Part (i) on the EUNAVFOR Mission commenced yesterday.
Consideration of participation by the Defence Forces in EU NAVFOR MED will only occur if there is a UN Security Council Resolution and the applicable National statutory requirements are met. I understand that discussions on a draft Security Council Resolution are ongoing.
15. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update regarding the LE Samuel Beckett role in assisting in the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34259/15]
View answerL.É. Samuel Beckett is the third Irish Naval vessel deployed to the Mediterranean to assist the Italian Authorities with the migrant crisis, in line with the Government Decision on 12 May 2015. L.É. Samuel Beckett is continuing the excellent work undertaken by L.É. Eithne and L.É. Niamh in the Mediterranean.
The role of the Irish Naval vessel is to provide a search and rescue capability and to undertake humanitarian rescue operations at sea in the Mediterranean. Assistance to persons in distress at sea is being provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of international conventions governing search and rescue situations. Co-ordination of search and rescue efforts and the provision of humanitarian assistance is being achieved through close co-operation with the relevant Italian authorities.
During her deployment in the Mediterranean, L.É. Eithne rescued a total of 3,377 migrants. She was replaced in the mission on 18 July by L.É. Niamh who rescued a total of 4,020 migrants during her deployment. Tragically, 39 bodies were also recovered by L.É. Niamh.
L.É. Samuel Beckett, commenced patrolling duties on the waters between Libya and Sicily on 01 October 2015. To date L.É. Samuel Beckett has rescued 242 migrants. While the duration of the deployment of L.É. Samuel Beckett is subject to ongoing assessment of the crisis, it is intended that this rotation, up to the end of November 2015, will complete the Naval Service’s participation in the mission.
The success of the operations carried out to date by L.É. Eithne, L.É. Niamh and L.É. Samuel Beckett involving the rescue of 7, 639 migrants demonstrates clearly the value of Ireland’s participation in this important humanitarian response.
16. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the sale of Magee Barracks in County Kildare.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34446/15]
View answerAs I have already outlined, it is proposed to dispose of the remaining c. 50 acres of the Barracks by public auction later this year. An auctioneer has been appointed to manage the disposal on behalf of the Department and the Chief State Solicitors Office is currently finalising the contracts for sale.
The Local Development Plan for Kildare Town 2012-2018 has made provision for substantial community developments on the barracks site consequently any buyer will be obliged to comply with these provisions thereby ensuring that the local community will benefit directly from the sale.
17. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence his plans to provide the international defence industry with increased access to the Irish Defence Forces for product testing, particularly in view of their inability to control where the weapons appear. [34263/15]
View answerIn July 2011, the Government approved arrangements, whereby Enterprise Ireland (EI) would support the Department of Defence and Defence Forces capability development through engagement with Irish-based enterprise and research institutes on the use and application of innovative civilian technologies in the military sphere. At the time of the decision, the Defence Forces were already engaged with Irish enterprise and various consortia in support of research on a range of capabilities. This engagement included EU funded research projects under framework 7 and Horizon 2020 and projects being undertaken within the framework of the European Defence Agency. The Government decision allowed for greater engagement with Enterprise Ireland (EI) and EI supported companies which could contribute to Defence Forces capabilities across the full range of its activities.
Subject to the provisions of the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 2009, the Defence Forces also participate in relevant capability development projects at European level under the umbrella of the European Defence Agency. Enterprise Ireland also support Irish based enterprise and research institutes in accessing research opportunities in the European Defence Agency.
Through the Irish Maritime Energy and Resource Cluster (IMERC), which is a partnership of the Naval Service, University College Cork, and Cork Institute of Technology, the Naval Service has been involved in various initiatives with Enterprise Ireland within its capability requirements sphere. Essentially these are dual use projects where the technologies have application in both the civil and military field.
The Defence Forces are a military force. Given the nature of their role on robust overseas operations, they need access to the latest communications and surveillance technologies and weapons systems in order to carry out their duties safely and effectively. This means having weapons guidance systems, simulators, surveillance systems, communications, robots and drones along with all the other elements of force protection.
I can confirm that there are no proposals to support the development of an armaments industry in Ireland. However, there are opportunities to develop new technologies and to further develop and enhance existing systems and capabilities which will have dual military and civil application through engagement between Irish enterprise and research centres and the Defence Forces. The aim is to maximise synergies across both the civil and military domains and to develop leading edge technology and systems here in Ireland.
18. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Defence his priorities for Custume Barracks in Athlone in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34451/15]
View answerAs I have said on a number of occasions Custume Barracks is and will continue to be an important operational military barracks. There are no plans to change this.
There is an ongoing capital building programme designed to modernise and enhance the training, operational and accommodation facilities available to members of the Defence Forces. Under this programme there has been considerable capital investment at Custume Barracks, Athlone in recent years, amounting to some €6.4m from 2009 to date.
While there are no major capital projects planned for this year, it is planned to undertake a major refurbishment of the Barrack Dining Hall starting in 2017. In addition there are ongoing works required to ensure the upkeep and repair of buildings and provide facilities generally for personnel.
19. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the partners of Defence Forces consortium bids for Horizon 2020; the criteria in deciding who to partner, and the types of projects to become involved with; to assure the Houses of the Oireachtas that there is no participation in any consortium involving Israeli companies or partners, given their appalling record on weapons testing and their use against Palestinians. [34265/15]
View answerAs I have previously stated to the House, there is an ongoing requirement to examine new and innovative means of improving capabilities in the security and the defence domain, so that the Defence Forces are in a position to undertake the roles assigned by Government. The capabilities being researched and developed by the Defence Forces in cooperation with research companies and institutions are wide ranging. They cover capabilities such as Maritime Surveillance; Energy Conservation; Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) research including CBRN Protection, and Improvised Explosives Devices (IED) detection and destruction. Such capabilities may be used at home and also abroad on crisis management missions and operations including humanitarian and peace-keeping missions.
Horizon 2020 is an EU Research and Innovation Programme with approximately €80 billion in funding to be available over 7 years (from 2014 to 2020). The programme is seen as a means to drive economic growth and create jobs and is open to everyone.
Projects proposed by institutes and companies, where they are seeking to partner with, or involve, Defence Forces participation are submitted to the Defence Enterprise Committee for consideration. The Defence Enterprise Committee consists of personnel from the Department of Defence, the Defence Forces and Enterprise Ireland. All capabilities to be researched are vetted and agreed at the highest level in the Defence Organisation to ensure compatibility with the roles assigned to the Defence Forces by the Government.
In 2014 the Defence Forces were involved in three separate Horizon 2020 project proposals. Although the projects were unsuccessful the Defence Forces gained a great insight into the workings of H2020, and opened the doors to a network of contacts, which will allow others to realise the expertise and skill that is within the Defence Forces.
This year the Defence Forces are involved in 8 proposals. The proposals cover topics such as CBRN, protection of critical infrastructure, and Maritime Border Security. Whether any of these proposals will be successful in their bid for H2020 will not be known until January 2016. You will appreciate that due to the fact that no decision has been made on the applications for funding and the sensitive nature of this research, I am unable to release the names of those in the consortia. While Israel has the same access to the Horizon 2020 programme as EU Member States and other Associated Countries, my Department is not aware of any involvement of Israeli companies or partners on any of the current consortia in which the Defence Forces are involved.
20. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which future deployments of Irish peacekeepers at various locations overseas will be deployed in such numbers, and with the necessary supports to ensure their sustainability in the event of unforeseen circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34519/15]
View answerAs of 1st October 2015, Ireland is contributing 494 Defence Forces personnel to 12 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 195 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 153 personnel, the Naval Service Humanitarian Mission in the Mediterranean with 60 personnel, the NATO-led International Security presence (KFOR) in Kosovo with 12 personnel, the EU-led operation ALTHEA in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with 7 personnel, the EU-led Training Mission in Mali with 10 personnel and the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan with 7 personnel. Ten (10) personnel are serving at the headquarters of the German-led Battle Group 2016. Other personnel are serving as monitors and observers with several United Nations missions.
With regard to any future deployments of Defence Forces personnel overseas, Ireland receives requests, from time to time, in relation to participation in various missions and these are considered on a case-by-case basis. However, given Ireland’s current level of commitment in overseas peacekeeping operations, notably to the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in Syria and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, we are not in a position to make significant long-term commitments to other missions at this time.
The current contribution of some 494 personnel to overseas missions reflects the Government’s continued commitment to our responsibilities in the area of international peace and security.
