Denis Naughten
Question:74. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence his plans to expand the role of the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41149/15]
View answerAir Corps
Questions (74)
Written answers
The White Paper on Defence sets out the defence policy framework and vision for the next ten years. In respect of the Air Corps, the principal aim over the lifetime of the White Paper will be to ensure that the Air Corps can continue to undertake the required military operations and to deliver a broad range of air supports to other Government Departments and agencies in line with Memoranda of Understanding and Service Level Agreements. These supports include:
- Provision of a general helicopter capability for a variety of tasks, including support to An Garda Síochána.
- Provision of a fixed wing maritime patrol service.
- Provision of a Ministerial air transport service.
- Provision of an emergency inter-hospital air ambulance service and an emergency aeromedical support service on the basis of agreed arrangements between my Department and the Department of Health and the HSE.
- Provision of aeronautical support to other Government Departments and Agencies, including the Irish Coast Guard.
In relation to the Air Corps’ military operations, the White Paper provides for periodic updates to consider progress made and any revisions required in the light of the security situation pertaining at that time. These matters are kept under constant review.
Defence Forces Equipment
Questions (75)
Clare Daly
Question:75. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 25 June 2015, if he has been involved in any recent discussions at European Union level regarding the import and export of arms from Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41206/15]
View answerWritten answers
I have not been involved in any discussions at European Union level regarding the import or export of arms from Israel. I have previously outlined to the Deputy and the House the position with regard to the procurement of defensive equipment by the Department of Defence.
I have also explained the scale and type of such equipment that the Department has acquired from Israeli companies in recent years and the purpose of such acquisitions which is to afford the greatest possible force protection and operational effectiveness to Irish Defence Forces personnel particularly on overseas service.
The matter of barring Israeli companies from entering tender competitions for the provision of military goods would be akin to Ireland unilaterally placing an embargo on such goods from Israel and this raises, inter alia, serious implications for Irish foreign policy which are outside my remit as Minister for Defence. As the Deputy is aware, trade policy and market access are largely EU competencies and any restriction or ban on imports from any particular country would have to be concerted at EU level.
As I have said in the past, the manner in which the Department of Defence procures both goods and services remains constant with international best practice and is in line with EU and UN decisions on trade embargoes. I do not, therefore, envisage any change to our current procurement practices.
Defence Forces Deployment
Questions (76)
Seán Kyne
Question:76. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Defence the level of engagement he has had with stakeholders, including at European level, regarding defence and security procedures, given the increased threat following the appalling and reprehensible events in France; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41183/15]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, primary responsibility for the security of the State lies with An Garda Síochána and in the event of any terrorist attack, the Gardaí would have primary responsibility, with support provided by the Defence Forces. I am regularly in touch with my EU colleagues both in the context of European Defence and Security and other matters. In addition to bilateral contacts, two meetings of EU Defence Minister’s are held during each six month EU Presidency. I attended the meeting of Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers, which took place in Brussels on 17th November 2015. Discussions at the meeting covered a wide range of European Defence and Security issues and associated challenges.
Following the recent appalling events in France, I extended my condolences to the French Defence Minister and the French people, and pledged Ireland’s support for France at this difficult time. I stated that Ireland will support France in any way it can and will engage with France on a bilateral basis as to how Ireland might be of further assistance.
We are engaging with the French Authorities and I expect that the framework within which the request for aid and assistance, military and otherwise, will be clarified in the coming days. I will report to Government in due course on the potential Defence Forces contribution to address the areas for aid and assistance specified by the French authorities.
I am also kept fully appraised of issues arising from meetings which officials from my Department and the Defence Forces attend in the area of European Defence and Security. As with the formulation of any policy, best practice and lessons learnt in other jurisdictions will always inform EU policy formulation to ensure that it is robust, coherent and meets the needs of member States.
Defence Forces
Questions (77)
Clare Daly
Question:77. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence his plans to allow the international defence industry to have increased access to the Defence Forces for product testing, with regard to whether safeguards are in place to ensure that such co-operation does not involve companies or countries which are known to be involved in funding and supplying the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41209/15]
View answerWritten answers
As I have previously stated to the House, the Government approved arrangements in July 2011, 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 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 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.
Defence Forces
Questions (78)
Bernard Durkan
Question:78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces are given opportunities to upgrade their skills in line with military forces throughout Europe and globally, with particular reference to the need to combat international terrorism; if all possible steps continue to be taken in respect of training, access to state-of-the-art technology, rapid deployment, and mobility; if he remains satisfied that the Defence Forces here are adequately equipped to interact and interface with military forces elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41160/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána have primary responsibility for the internal security of the State and in the event of a terrorist incident, An Garda Síochána would be the first responders. An Garda Síochána may request assistance from the Defence Forces in the context of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP). Significant and continuous effort is put into ensuring that the Defence Forces remain up-to-date with regard to best national and international practice in terms of military thinking and practice.
Significant training expertise exists within the Defence Forces and this expertise is continually benchmarked against best international practice. Where the capability exists, relevant training is delivered in-house by highly trained and knowledgeable training instructors.
Where appropriate, Defence Forces personnel are also sent on relevant external courses, both within Ireland and internationally. In this regard, Defence Forces personnel have attended courses run by armed forces in the United Kingdom, the USA, the Netherlands, Spain and Turkey, amongst others. These courses include topics such as anti-terrorism, Counter Improvised Explosive Devices (CIED) and Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN).
Ireland participates in NATO Partnership for Peace (PfP) which has provided the Defence Forces with the opportunities to enhance their capabilities for peacekeeping, preventative and crisis management operations under UN mandates. Membership of the Partnership for Peace has allowed the Defence Forces to gain access to NATO standards - which are internationally-recognised as representing best military practice. The scope of Ireland’s involvement is focused on enhancing interoperability and familiarity with operating procedures in a multi-national environment.
I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the Defence Forces, including access to training and up-to-date technology, enables the Defence Forces to carry out their numerous roles both at home and overseas, including any roles that are assigned to them by Government in any emergency situations that may arise in the role of Aid to the Civil Power.
Defence Forces Personnel Data
Questions (79)
Denis Naughten
Question:79. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the number of vacant posts within the bomb disposal units in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41150/15]
View answerWritten answers
Explosive Ordnance Disposal is the military term used to refer to what is commonly called ‘bomb disposal’. Explosive Ordnance Disposal is also a task assigned to the Defence Forces by Government and is provided in Aid to the Civil Power. Within the Defence Forces, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal function is assigned to the Ordnance Corps.
I am informed by the military authorities that there are a number of vacancies within the Ordnance Corps at present. However, the Defence Forces do not disclose the exact number of vacancies in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit as this information is operationally sensitive. That said, I can advise the Deputy that I am assured by the Chief of Staff that he has the necessary resources to undertake all roles assigned by Government, including Explosive Ordnance Disposal. In addition, the number of callouts has fallen significantly over the past three years from 250 callouts in 2013 to 126 to date in 2015.
While a number of Ordnance Officers have left the Defence Forces over the past 12 months to pursue professional opportunities outside of the Defence Forces, new staff are currently being recruited to the Ordnance Corps and a number of officers are currently undergoing the requisite training programme to fill current vacancies. A planned programme of ongoing recruitment and training of Ordnance Officers to address current and future vacancies is also being put in place.