Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019
13. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of 2019, 2020 and 2021 financial commitments pursuant to Ireland’s participation in PESCO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1965/19]
View answerWith regard to defence spending, Government policy is defined within the parameters of our national budgetary process and role of Dáil Éireann. Within the EU, it is accepted that defence and security is a national competence, including national spending on defence and security.
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.
In 2018 no additional costs were incurred through PESCO related activities other than costs associated with attendance by Defence Forces Subject Matter Experts at PESCO project planning meetings. This may change across 2019 as capabilities are developed and acquired 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.
