Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 November 2018
70. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount of the budget in 2018 which will be taken by additional costs associated with PESCO related activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48393/18]
View answerIreland joined Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in December, 2017 following Government and Dáil approval. As part of our participation in PESCO, Ireland has committed to regularly increase our defence budgets in real terms. It should be noted that regularly does not mean annually but rather over the medium term. The allocations for defence announced in the budget for 2019 mean that Ireland’s defence expenditure will increase in real terms over the coming three years.
Joining PESCO does not involve an additional cost to the Exchequer. Additional costs may arise in respect of participation in specific PESCO projects similar to the case where the Defence Forces participate in European Defence Agency Projects. The projects where Ireland has confirmed our participation relate to the ongoing development of Defence Forces capabilities for peace support and crisis management operations. Costs associated with participation on these projects would be incurred in the normal course and will therefore be met from within the Defence Vote
As a participant in PESCO, Ireland is required to participate in one PESCO project. As identified in the Council Decision of 6th March establishing the first list of PESCO projects, I have confirmed Ireland's participation in two PESCO projects - (1) The European Union Training Mission Competence Centre and (2) Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance. Ireland also confirmed Observer status on 8 first round PESCO projects.
In relation to the second round of PESCO projects agreed this week at the Foreign Affairs Council, Ireland, while not committing to participating in any further projects, did confirm interest as Observer in the following 3 projects :
- Project EU Radio Navigation Solutions (EURAS)
- Counter Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS)
- European UAS Competence, Education and Training Centre
At this stage, there have been no additional costs associated with PESCO related activities in 2018 other than costs associated with attendance by Defence Forces Subject Matter Experts at PESCO project planning meetings. This may change as capabilities are developed through the PESCO projects. However, it is expected that sharing the costs of capability development across a number of member States should prove cost neutral in terms of overall projected defence expenditure.
