EU Meetings

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021

Thursday, 30 September 2021

Questions (236)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

236. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 41 of 29 July 2021, the number of European Defence Fund Programme Committee meetings attended by representatives of his Department to date in 2021; the dates of these meetings; if he will provide a copy of the minutes of the meetings, when available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47200/21]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

The European Defence Fund (EDF) is a co-funded industrial sectoral programme, which will enhance the capabilities available for EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Operations and provide support to EU defence industry in developing these capabilities through funding for research and capability development, fostering innovation and economies of scale. The EDF will facilitate Member States to better coordinate and supplement national investments in defence and achieve greater output and develop defence technology and equipment in support of CSDP that may not otherwise be feasible. 

The EDF, which is funded through the EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027, operates similarly to other EU industry and research support programmes, such as Horizon 2020, in supporting the European Defence and Industrial Technology Base in delivering capabilities for the EU's CSDP operations. 

Since the adoption of the Regulation establishing the EDF on the 29th of April 2021, my Department has participated in all five meetings of the EDF Programme Committee Group, the first of which was on 20 May 2021 and subsequent meetings on 25 May 2021, 27 May 2021, 31 May 2021 and 25 June 2021. 

It is the European Commission's (DG DEFIS) intention to make the summary reports of the meetings available online as soon as they have been approved. In that regard, my Department understands that the minutes for the meetings of 20 May and 25 May will be published online shortly following their approval at the 6th Meeting of the Programme Committee which will take place on 8 October 2021.